Saudi food group Almarai has booked an increase in full-year profits, boosted by sales of baked goods and poultry.

Earnings in the 12 months to the end of December climbed by 26% on the previous year, to SAR1.44bn (US$384m), the company reported at the weekend. Almarai said it recorded a strong performance in its bakery and poultry divisions.

Operating profit was up by 9.9% to SAR1.67bn, while net sales grew by 24.3% to SAR9.88bn.

Sales in the firm's bakery division increased by 24% to SAR1.29bn, while poultry sales jumped by 58% to SAR504.3m in the period.