Sales of the European animal nutrition company Provimi amounted to $594.1 million (Eur 433.9 million), a decrease of 18.5% compared with the same period in 2008, as reported in its first quarter sales and key developments for this year.

A decrease in raw material prices, lower volumes and exchange rate effects contributed to the group's declining sales.

However, pet food sales have increased by almost 10% in comparison with the same period last year.

In animal nutrition, the sales decrease in Northwest Europe was mainly due to diminishing volumes in export markets, while the turnover in Poland/Ukraine was negatively impacted by a declining market and aggressive competition.

In Central and Eastern Europe, the sales decrease was due to the closure of the Group's complete feed activities in Hungary and in the Balkans.