Soft drinks company Britvic has warned that its full-year profit will be modestly below expectations because of a decline in the carbonates market and downward pricing pressures.

In half-year results to April 16, Britvic said that pre-tax profit fell 9.4% to £43.4m, on total branded sales down 5.3% at £323.5m.

Paul Moody, chief executive of Britvic, added: “Our total sales performance has improved in the first four weeks of the second half with stills revenue showing encouraging growth, although carbonates revenue remains down on the prior year.”