Lassonde Industries, a Canada-based food manufacturing company specializing in fruit juices, drinks and juice products, sauces and food products, has reported an increase in its sales by 21% to $255.1m in the third quarter (Q3) ended 29 September 2012, up from $210.82m in the comparable period last year.

The company, however, reported lower sales volumes of fruit juice and fruit drinks in North America when compared to prior years.

Operating profit for the third quarter of 2012 stood at $22.6m, an increase of $8.8m from operating profit of $13.8m in the same quarter previous year.

Due to high competition in the Canadian markets, the company has reported higher trade spending in the third quarter of 2012.

Lassonde Industries board chairman and CEO Pierre-Paul Lassonde said the third quarter 2012 results reflect markets that continue to be affected by high raw material costs.

"The Clement Pappas acquisition has helped us sustain our growth but lower volumes are being experienced by the fruit juice and fruit drink industry in both Canada and the U.S," Lassonde said.

Post acquisition, Clement Pappas and Company (CPC) sales stood at $108.6m and operating profit at $10.1m in the third quarter of 2012.