CONSUMER goods group Unilever unveiled a fall in sales volumes and warned that the outlook remained uncertain.

The group, which includes Knorr and Dove soap among its brands, said sales volumes dropped by 1.6% in the final three months of 2008.

Demand was also hit by Unilever’s move to hike prices by up to 9%.

The group said it would be “inappropriate” to give an outlook for 2009 or to confirm 2010 targets in current conditions.

Despite worsening consumer demand, Unilever increased full-year profits to £6.4bn from £4.7bn last time.

Chief executive Paul Polman told investors that the Anglo-Dutch group would concentrate “first and foremost on volume growth” in the current year.