Health products company Blackmores is cautiously optimistic about growth this year as it deals with Thailand's political unrest and wary Australian consumers.
The vitamins and supplements maker achieved a small rise in net profit to $25.4 million in the year to June 30, despite a tough start to the year when earnings fell by about a third in the first quarter.
Despite the turnaround, chief executive Christine Holgate said the company faced challenges in its main Australian business and emerging Asian markets.
"Australia has a very volatile retail market," she said.
"A large part of our Asian business has been Thailand and Thailand's going through civil unrest at the moment.
"Any CEO prefers to see growth in all parts of their business and that's clearly what we'll aim to do."
Asian sales grew by 11 per cent in 2013/14 and Australian sales were up seven per cent, taking total sales revenue six per cent higher than the previous year.
The Australian business overcame a flood of stock and a subsequent discount war early in the year to return to profitability in the second half.
Blackmores said it will remain focused on investing in Asia after expanding into Cambodia and Macau last financial year, and beginning development of its Asian headquarters in Singapore.
"The presence of Blackmores International in Singapore will enable us to be closer to our consumers and retail partners," Ms Holgate said.
Blackmores shares gained 70 cents, or 2.5 per cent, to $29.10.
ASIAN BUSINESS DELIVERS GROWTH FOR BLACKMORES
* Net profit of $25.4m, up two pct from $25m in 2012/13
* Revenue of $346.8m, up six pct from $326.6m
* Final dividend of 83 cents per share, unchanged
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