It’s difficult to gauge the financial health of the fresh produce industry at the moment.

On the positive side, two major companies - Lincolnshire Field Products and Fruco - this week posted improved profits and turnover for the last financial year, suggesting businesses have been successful at cutting costs and addressing the challenges of surviving the recession.

But what fresh produce companies’ results will look like in a year’s time is another question altogether. One leading supplier this week described 2010 as the worst year in living memory, with hurricanes, dreadful exchange rates, a freezing winter, diminishing supermarket margins and rising import costs all combining to make life a headache.

That view was echoed by Fruco md Simon Lane, who said this was the toughest year he could remember in 32 years in the trade.

According to Plimsoll Publishing, there are currently 61 so-called ‘zombie’ companies who simply exist to pay off their debts and survive. This undoubtedly reflects the state of the economy generally rather than simply the fresh produce trade, but the point remains the same - there could well be further casualties before the year is out.

On the other hand, those companies that are remaining profitable are eyeing up significant opportunities to snap up rivals. Surviving the toughest time on record will give those that come out the other side real hope of sustained growth in coming years.