Cadbury is the world's biggest confectionary firm

For the 24 weeks to 19 June pre-tax profits were up 10% to �344m ($600m) with sales rising 6% to �3.1bn.

While the trading environment was set to remain "challenging", Cadbury said it expected to keep sales growing and to meet its financial targets.

Cadbury's shares closed the day up 1% at 547.5 pence.

'Varied' conditions

The company - whose products include Dairy Milk chocolate and Dr Pepper drinks - has recently been cutting costs in order to allow it to invest more in new products.

However chief executive Todd Stitzer said: "It is not just been about cost-cutting.

Many parts of the world are doing well, such as the US and Latin America Todd Stitzer, Cadbury chief executive Check Cadbury's share price

"Our figures have been helped by the significant amount of growing we are doing, and our sales are up significantly."

He said global conditions for the company were "varied" with worries about the world economic situation affecting some markets.

"But many parts of the world are doing well, such as the US and Latin America," he added.