Global food business Kellanova – the parent company of snack brands including Pringles and Pop-Tarts – reported a mixed performance in its second quarter.

The FMCG giant saw its sales increase by 0.3% to around £2.3bn as overall growth was offset by softer markets worldwide.

Its operating profit declined by 11% to approximately £332m, while its earnings per share decreased by 15% year-over-year.

Steve Cahillane, Kellanova’s chief executive, said: “It is a testament to the strength of our people, portfolio, and plans that we continue to manage effectively through challenging business conditions.”

“While demand softness in most of our categories did not improve as much as we had hoped, we delivered earnings above our expectations in Q2, thanks to our innovation, commercial and operational execution, and emerging markets growth, notably noodles in Africa.”

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Kellanova’s European sales went up by 2% because of favourable foreign currency exchange rates and a better price mix.

However, its main market, North America, declined by 4% because of lower demand for snacks and frozen food.

The company did not issue a forecast as it prepares for its acquisition by Mars, which is set to be completed at the end of the year.

Cahillane added: “We plan to continue to lean into focused execution in the second half, even as we continue to work toward closing the Mars transaction and embarking on an exciting next chapter.”