The boosted earnings were in line with its forecasts, and were thanks to more buoyant conditions in agriculture markets, spurred by the global biofuels boom.

This was in conjunction with an improvement in Omnia's Protea Chemicals division, it said in a note to the Johannesburg bourse.

"Omnia remains focused on balancing the group's risk profile and pursuing new growth opportunities, both nationally and internationally," the firm commented.

The company planned to publish its results for the year on or about June 18.

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