PARIS (Reuters) - Danone said on Wednesday it was starting the next leg of its revival plan with confidence after it delivered 2024 sales and cash above analysts' expectations, and improved its profit margin thanks to higher volumes as price hikes slowed.

The consumer goods giant, whose brands include Evian and Badoit water and Activia yoghurt, reported 2024 sales of 27.376 billion euros ($28.72 billion), a like-for-like rise of 4.3%, compared with analysts' expectations of 4.2% in a company-provided consensus.

The performance reflected sustained demand for medical nutrition and baby food in China as well as coffee creamers and high protein products in North America.

The recurring operating margin for 2024 rose to 13% of sales from 12.6% in 2023, in line with expectations of 13%.

For 2025, Danone said its forecast was in line with its mid-term ambition of like-for-like sales growth of 3-5%, with recurring operating income growing faster than sales.

Last June, Danone gave these annual targets for the 2025-2028 period, which it said was the next leg of a revival launched in 2022 as the food group further expands into health and medical nutrition.

($1 = 0.9531 euros)