US petfood manufacturer Del Monte reported net sales of US$940.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2011, a decrease of 5.3% compared with US$958.9 million during the same time in 2010.

Despite this drop, net sales of pet products were up 2.6% from 2010 levels to US$433.2 million, according to the company. The company attributed the increase primarily to strong unit volume growth in dry petfood and pet snacks as well as new product volume growth. Del Monte also reported that pet product operating income rose 9.3%, from US$84.8 million in the second quarter fiscal 2010 to US$92.7 million in the second quarter fiscal 2011.