Sales at Pernord Ricard were up in India but its performance in the US and China demonstrated challenging markets for the champagnes and spirits business.

Organic net sales during the first quarter of its 2027 financial year, which is measured from July to September, totalled €2.23 billion (£1.88 billion).

Sales in the US declined by -10% and in China by -25%, with Pernord Ricard citing both markets being impacted by inventory adjustments.

In the US the total spirits value market was down some 2% with bottled spirits down approximately 4%, but with slightly improving underlying trends over the summer.

However the company noted a marked improvement in Skrewball’s performance, and a “strong rebound” for Malibu Latest innovations that include Malibu Pink, Skrewball Peanut Butter & Jelly flavoured whiskey in small format, and extending the range of Jameson Irish whiskey portfolio with Jameson Distiller’s Batch

India showed strong growth with sales up 19%, driven by strong demand and continuing premiumisation.

Growth is broad-based across the portfolio, with imported spirits in very strong double-digits growth, including Jameson, Absolut and Ballantine’s, and with strong double-digit growth from Seagram’s whiskies Royal Stag and Blenders Pride.

The company said in a statement: “When excluding the US and China, sales in the Rest of the World are growing at +4%, with strong performance notably in markets in the Asia-Rest of the World region and with softer results in Europe and in Latin America.

“The global environment remains volatile and uncertain, notably with ongoing conflicts in Europe and in the Middle East, and with cost-of-living pressures in some markets.

“Momentum and sales growth is improving in a number of key markets, demonstrating the benefit of our diversified premium brand portfolio, our balanced and broad geographic footprint and our ability to adapt quickly to changing market conditions.”