(Sharecast News) - Shares in Treatt sparked on Thursday, after the ingredients and extracts specialist reiterated full-year guidance despite ongoing headwinds.

Updating on half-year trading at the annual general meeting, the London-listed business acknowledged an ongoing backdrop of "external industry, macroeconomic and increased geopolitical pressures".

It also flagged "challenging" market conditions in its premium division, which was impacting consumer demand, especially in the US. However, the company - which last year saw a recommended takeover voted down by shareholders - said it remained on track to deliver a full-year performance in line with expectations, with a greater weighting to the second half than in 2025.

In particular, it said citrus market headwinds seen during the 2025 full year were showing early signs of easing, "providing confidence that volumes will see some positive momentum into the second half".

Treatt also confirmed "encouraging" progress in new markets, especially China.

Interim managing director Manprit Randhawa said: "Trading in the year-to-date has been line with our expectations. We remain focused on strategy: building our heritage products, expanding higher-margin premium categories, strengthening customer collaboration and investing in innovation."

Randhawa, who joined as chief financial officer in September, took on the interim role after former chief executive David Shannon resigned in December. Shannon has backed a £174m takeover offer from Natara Global but German ingredients firm Dohler, which has a 28% holding in Treatt, opposed the sale.

Treatt confirmed that the recruitment processe for a new chief executive was "well underway".

As at 1130 GMT, the shares were trading 5% higher at 205.5p.

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