PARIS — The Oikos brand led growth in North America for Danone SA in the first quarter, while Juergen Esser, chief executive officer of the company, said he expects service problems to ease in the coffee creamers business in North America.

Companywide sales of €6.84 billion ($7.78 billion) were up 0.8% from €6.79 billion in the previous year’s first quarter. Sales increased 4.3% on a like-for-like basis, and volume/mix increased 1.9%.

In North America, sales of €1.63 billion ($1.86 billion) were down 6% from €1.74 billion but up 3.7% on a like-for-like basis. Volume/mix increased 0.9%.

The brands Danone, Danette and YoPro are leading growth in Essential Dairy and Plant-based Protein (EDP) in North America, Esser said in an April 23 earnings call.

“The high-protein Oikos Pro platform led the growth, showcasing double-digit expansion with a consistent, very strong winning momentum,” he said.

Coffee creamers, impacted by service challenges, had a soft start to the year in a competitive category, according to Danone.

“In (coffee creamers), while the category continues to grow at an attractive rate, we had a slower start amidst an increasingly competitive environment,” Esser said. “What did not help is that we experienced service disruptions during the quarter, resulting in temporary out-of-stock at shelves. We have addressed these issues, are rebuilding distribution in this quarter and should see an improved performance from now onwards.”

Adverse weather at the start of the year affected Waters in North America, he said.

“We put back some of our promotional activities to make sure that we go with the right level of stock into the season, which is beginning as we speak,” Esser said.

In China, North Asia and Oceania, sales shot up 12% to €936 million ($1.06 billion) from €840 million. Like-for-like sales increased 10%. Mazone (a vitamin drink brand in China) delivered growth in double-digit percentages. Sales in Europe increased 2.3% to €2.39 billion from €2.34 billion. In Latin America, sales fell 1.6% to €715 million from €727 million, but like-for-like sales increased 9%.

Within product categories, Essential Dairy and Plant-based Protein (EDP) had sales of €3.38 billion, which were down 2.7% from €3.47 billion but up 3.7% on a like-for-like basis. Volume/mix increased 1.5%. In Specialized Nutrition, sales of €2.31 billion were up 6% from €2.18 billion and up 5.3% on a like-for-like basis. Volume/mix increased 3.1%. In Waters, sales of €1.16 billion were up 2.2% from €1.13 billion and up 4.1% on a like-for-like basis. Volume-mix increased 1%.

Danone kept its fiscal-year guidance of like-for-like sales growth in the range of 3% to 5%.