LONDON, Jan 23 (Reuters) - Associated British Foods on Tuesday reported a 2.1% rise in underlying sales at its Primark clothing business in the Christmas quarter, a slowdown from growth of 8% in the previous quarter.

The group, which also owns major sugar, grocery, agriculture and ingredients businesses, kept its forecast for a year of "meaningful progress" in both profitability and cash generation. (Reporting by James Davey, Editing by Paul Sandle)