ZURICH (Reuters) - Strong demand in Europe, North America and emerging market countries pushed fragrance and flavour maker Givaudan's (>> Givaudan S.A.) first-half sales up 5.7 percent, sending its shares up more than 4 percent on Thursday.

Givaudan and its peers have benefited from the growing prosperity of emerging markets consumers, including in Africa and Latin America, who are able to afford ready-to-eat meals, cosmetics and detergents that use their scents and flavours.

"There was a big rebound in fine fragrances in the second quarter but we also saw very good momentum in flavours in the mature markets of western Europe and the U.S.," Chief Executive Gilles Andrier told Reuters in a telephone interview.

Its fine fragrances, found in perfumes by Dior and Prada, were also boosted by new business in Latin America, notably BRICS nation Brazil, he said.

In the first half of the year, the unit, which accounts for about 10 percent of group sales, returned to sales growth of 2.5 percent, after a decline of 5.5 percent in the first quarter.

Group sales reached 2.225 billion Swiss francs ($2.38 billion), just ahead of forecasts in a Reuters poll. Net profit jumped a better-than-expected 36 percent to 271 million francs, helped by lower financing costs and a lower tax rate.

Givaudan shares, which have gained more than 31 percent so far this year, rose 4.2 percent to 1,318 francs at 1154 GMT, outperforming a 1.4 percent weaker chemicals index <.SX3P>.

"We are a very defensive business because we supply fragrances and flavours for things that consumers buy and consume every day...you don't stop brushing your teeth or drinking," Andrier said.

Developing markets accounted for 45 percent of sales and grew 9.4 percent in the first half. Sales grew 5.2 percent in Europe, Africa and the Middle East in the first half, with strong demand in Russia among other places.

In western Europe, Britain and Ireland lead the way.

"We have seen that in 2009 and see that again today that even in a very difficult environment like in Europe we still manage to grow, modestly, but we grow."

"We've seen good growth in Italy and Spain, surprisingly, in countries which are encountering huge economic issues.

Latin America had very good growth in fine fragrances but the second quarter rebound stemmed from North America and western Europe, he said.

"Fine fragrances is obviously the most discretionary part of our business but it accounts for only 10 percent of our sales," he said.

The group was now expecting flat raw material prices in 2013, instead of its earlier guidance for a 1-3 percent rise, meaning there was no need for a new round of price hikes.

The Geneva-based group confirmed it wanted to grow sales by 4.5-5.5 percent each year over the mid-term, assuming underlying market growth of 2-3 percent, and continue to gain market share.

Small to mid-sized acquisitions are also possible if they give the group access to specific knowhow in a developing market, new clients or natural ingredients, Andrier said.

Vontobel analyst Jean-Philippe Bertschy said results were excellent, noting double-digit growth in fine fragrances in the second quarter, the improvement in profitability and the "very healthy" free cash flow.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) margin improved to 22.9 percent from 20.6 percent a year ago, helped by earlier price increases and cost-saving measures, Givaudan said.

Notenstein analysts said the high free cash would help the group stick to its investor-friendly policy on cash returns.

"Many think the defensive stock is already expensive, but after these convincing figures, it should continue to be popular."

Givaudan shares trade at 21.4 times forward earnings, at a premium to Germany's Symrise (>> Symrise AG) at 19.1 times and U.S.-based International Flavors & Fragrances (>> International Flavors & Fragrances Inc) at 16.8.

IFF will publish its second-quarter results on August 6 and Symrise will follow suit on August 7.

($1 = 0.9352 Swiss francs)

(Editing by David Cowell)

By Silke Koltrowitz