UPDATE 3-Pernod says drinks needed in hard times

(Rewrites with finance director interview, adds analyst comment, details)

By Astrid Wendlandt and Noelle Mennella

PARIS, July 24 (Reuters) - In tough times, consumers need their tipple, Pernod Ricard (PERP.PA: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) said on Thursday as it forecast demand for wines and spirits would remain strong in the year to June 2009 in spite of the spending downturn.

"Even in difficult years, the consumer protects what for him holds pleasure value," Pernod Ricard Finance Director Emmanuel Babeau told Reuters in an interview.

Babeau forecast emerging markets would stay buoyant, pulled by India, Russia and China while growth would be more subdued in the United States and in Europe, particularly in Spain, Italy and Ireland.

Pernod, the world's No. 2 wine and spirits group after Diageo (DGE.L: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), with brands such as Beefeater gin, Malibu, Glenlivet, Jameson and Ballantine's whisky as well as its quintessentially French Ricard aniseed drink, did not give a precise outlook for its current year, however. It would only say that it expected improved margins.

For the year just ended, Pernod lifted its growth forecast for operating profit from ordinary activities to 13 percent from the 12 percent forecast in April, citing improved pricing and product mix.

"The confidence expressed by the group validates analysts' expectations," said Laetitia Delaye, analyst at French broker Kepler.

Delaye said the market was looking for like-for-like sales growth of 7 percent in 2008-2009 -- a slowdown from 9 percent in 2007-2008 -- and operating profit growth of 10 percent.