Danone eyes healthy growth in nation

French food giant gears up to meet demand from customers interested in nutritional benefits of products

As China continues to open up to the outside world, French food giant Danone SA sees more opportunities and is eyeing a bigger presence in the country.

"We are here innovating, creating, making in China for China," said Bertrand Austruy, executive president and secretary-general of Danone.

While the strong words convey the French food giant's determination to develop in the country, the latest fiscal figures speak for themselves.

In Danone's third quarter fiscal report, early life nutrition sales grew more than 10 percent while the figure in China soared by over 20 percent, registering the highest sales revenue ever.

"With the new momentum, we will beef up our presence in China to promote a healthier, more scientific and properly structured diet, as well as eating and drinking habits in China," he said.

The Paris-headquartered company now operates eight plants and employs around 9,000 staff in China. Danone first entered China in 1987 and now it is the company's second-largest market globally.

During the second China International Import Expo held in Shanghai last month, Austruy shared his vision for the Chinese market, the country's opening-up and Danone's new plan in the nation.