The next few months, according to a food industry veteran, will be critical for Premier Foods. So the interim management statement that the owner of Hovis, Branston pickle and Quorn is due to deliver today will be scrutinised closely by analysts and investors.

Of particular interest will be the success of pushing through another bread price increase, whether the company is still benefiting from its acquisitions of RHM and the UK operations of Campbell’s and if it has anything to say about disposals.