The company expects annual trading profit to be between 145 million pounds and 150 million pounds ($204.05 million), compared with 132.6 million pounds that it reported last year.

"Looking to the remainder of the year, out-of-home eating is likely to remain heavily restricted and we therefore expect to see continued high levels of consumer demand for our products," Chief Executive Officer Alex Whitehouse said.

Premier Foods also signed an agreement with Weston Foods to sell Mr Kipling cakes in the United States, with the first shipments expected to begin in the first quarter of fiscal 2021-22.

Total group sales at the company rose 9% for the 13 weeks ended Dec. 26, ahead of Jefferies's estimates, helped by strong demand for its Sharwood's cooking sauces, Bisto gravy, Batchelors and dessert brand Ambrosia.

The company, which has lifted its annual profit forecast twice since the start of its financial year in March, now seeks to increase brand advertising and has new products planned for the fourth quarter.

The Mr Kipling cakes maker also said it will redeem an additional 40 million pounds worth of notes due in July 2022.

Meanwhile, the company reported a jump of 43% in its international business sales, partly helped by purchases of its products ahead of the Dec. 31 European Union exit date, and said it does not expect any material impact from tariff changes.

($1 = 0.7351 pounds)

(Reporting by Tanishaa Nadkar in Bengaluru; editing by Uttaresh.V)