The Fife-based farming business, which started with two family farms and now includes 50 more growers contributing to the supply chain, says smart financial decisions have helped to increase its turnover.
Kettle faced particularly challenging growing conditions during the washout summer of 2012 that could have had dire implications for its 2013-14 figures. However, it delayed non-essential investments, sourced supplies from its overseas network, fulfilled its trading obligations and met targets, resulting in an operating profit of £1.2 million.
Finance director Liz Waugh said: “The summer of 2012 has already gone down as one of the wettest, dullest and coolest in living memory, and that had a significant impact on the availability of produce. Crop growth in the UK was extremely poor, and yields were down across the whole country – by up to 40 per cent in some areas.
“With crop availability down and operating costs up, we had to contain our costs. A planned programme of machinery replacement at our sites was put on hold to bolster our bottom line.” She added: “In the face of these challenges, it is pleasing that we have been able to deliver strong numbers.”
Kettle Produce is still family owned, and remains one of Fife’s largest employers, with almost 800 members of staff. It produces 100,000 tonnes of fresh root vegetables, green vegetables and salad crops each year from its sites at Orkie, near Freuchie and Balmalcolm, near Cupar.
