International bakery group Aryzta has reported group revenues which were up 36 per cent to €1.89 billion for the six months to the end of January.

The group, which was formed by the merger of IAWs and Swiss bakery firm Heistand in 2008, said earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (Ebitda), increased by 52 per cent to €173.1 million while earnings per share were up 34 per cent to 140.3 cent.

Aryzta's food division saw its revenues rise by 60 per cent to €1.28 billion. In Europe, food revenues increased by 10 per cent, while in North America food revenues were up 140 per cent. Food revenues for the rest of the world rose 591 per cent.

The group's chief executive Owen Killian said the speed and severity of food raw material price increases during the period under review was unexpected and is a major focus in the business.

Aryzta has its primary listing in Zurich with a secondary listing in Dublin.

Agri-nutrition firm Origin Enterprises, which is 71 per cent owned by Aryzta, last week announced group revenues of €613.3 million for the six-month period ended January 31st, 2011.