Archer parsnip

Parsnips are a key product for the business

Reduced crop yields and falling prices saw vegetable business Frederick Hiam suffer a drop in pre-tax profit and turnover.

Accounts filed at Companies House for the year ending 31 March 2014 show that the Suffolk firm's profit slid from £454,502 to £391,552, while turnover dropped from £20.2 million to £19.6m.

All of the business' turnover was derived in the UK.

In a statement accompanying the results, financial director Ashley Malpass, said: 'Crop performance was once again a similar story to that in recent years, with a mix of crops suffering reduced yields, while others showed improvements.

'Pricing was once again a significant contributing factor, with prices falling on potatoes, wheat and parsnips. Exceptions to the reduced prices were evident in brown and red onions, which both delivered improved prices on the previous year.'

However, he added: 'Following a reduction in the area of brown onions of around 36 per cent from the previous year, we did not feel the benefit of the stronger pricing.'

The business is named after its founder. During his life Hiam was a founder shareholder in sugar factories that later became the foundation of the British Sugar Corporation.The company, which is still in the family's hands, now farms about 9,000 acres, including a dairy operation in South Wales.