Bimbo, which entered China in 2006 after buying the local assets of Spanish competitor Panrico, plans to expand in China through purchases of local companies, Bernardo Zermeno, the food business chief, told Reuters on the sidelines of an event in Mexico City.

"Bimbo will look for a consolidation that will allow for expansion," he said.

Bimbo shares were up 0.60 percent in late afternoon trading at 45.44 pesos (1.89 pounds).

(Reporting by Sheky Espejo; Editing by Leslie Adler)

By Sheky Espejo