Evesham Vale Growers (EVG) is confident of a strong 2011 with “continued growth” despite posting a small fall in profits.

The Worcestershire business saw pre-tax profits fall from £2.2 million in 2009 to £1.4m in the year to 31 March 2010. Turnover fell marginally from £51m in 2009 to £50.2m.

But EVG said the period since the accounts submission has been a promising one giving the firm foundations for growth.

EVG’s commercial director David Shepherd told FPJ: “Through the last decade we enjoyed growth in excess of 150 per cent. The year ending March 2010 dipped very slightly due to deflation of selling prices against slight inflation in cost of goods.

“We have expanded our growing areas in the last 12 months which should see us go into 2011 with good foundations for continued growth, albeit perhaps at a more conservative pace.”

Turnover at the business fell from £51m in 2009 to £50.2m in the year to March 2010.

During 2010 the business expanded its UK tomato production by 30 per cent and saw strong demand for British asparagus and speciality tomatoes and widened its offer on classic round tomatoes.

Shepherd added: “We will align our business to the ever changing needs of our customers. We are also looking at some major environmental initiatives which should cut the costs of the crops that we produce.

“The tough economic climate has meant that there have been fewer imports flooding the market helping prices stabilise throughout the year,” he commented on the state of the market.

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