BOOMING export markets for whisky helped Chivas Brothers Limited to a 6% rise in sales.

The Paisley company, owned by French drinks giant Pernod Ricard, reported an increase in turnover from £487.1 million to £517.6m in accounts filed at Companies House.

In the year to June 30, 2011, North America performed strongly going from £80.3m to £111.1m, with Asia also up from £144.9m to £158.3m. Sales to Europe rose from £167.6m to £168.9m with African exports up from £29.3m to £33.1m.

However, not all territories grew, with Central and South America dipping from £59.6m to £41m with sales in other areas also down from £5.4m to £5.1m.

Pre-tax profits declined from £205.2m to £191m mainly due to a smaller gain, £9.3m as opposed to £30.2m, on insurance payments due for damage caused to warehouses in 2010.

A note to the accounts said: "The results disclosed for the year are in line with expectations. Turnover and gross margin have increased reflecting increased volumes.

"The directors are satisfied with the current trading performance. They remain optimistic for the future."

The average number of monthly employees was down slightly from 1540 to 1535 but staff costs including wages rose from £70.3m to £72.4m.

Directors' emoluments went from £3m to £3.6m, with the highest paid receiving a rise from £994,000 to £1.2m.

The company's chief executive and chairman is Christian Porta, who also sits on the executive committee at Pernod Ricard.

A spokeswoman for Chivas Brothers, which makes Glenlivet, Royal Salute and Ballantine's whisky plus Beefeater gin, said the accounts did not give a full picture of the company's operations.

She said: "The results of the Chivas Brothers scotch whisky and gin business are split across a number of separate UK legal entities within the Pernod Ricard group.

"As a result, the statutory accounts of Chivas Brothers Limited on a standalone basis do not fully reflect the financial performance of the business in the quoted year."

Chivas Brothers has 32 sites in the UK with 12 malt distilleries and two gin distilleries.

Glenlivet sold 718,000 cases in 2010/11 according to Pernod Ricard's annual report.