Difficult climatic issues failed to stop Poupart from raising its profit and turnover in the most recent financial year.
For the year ending 31 December, 2013, the fresh fruit supplier and marketer posted a pre-tax profit of £5.6 million – up from £4.5m the previous year.
The accounts, posted on Companies House, also show that the business, headquartered in London, increased its turnover by just over 11 per cent – going from around £295m in 2012, to over £327m in 2013.
Group chairman, Laurence Olins, said: “This was a satisfactory performance achieved in the face of difficult climatic issues around the world, including a very late spring in the UK, and shortages of a range of produce in the southern hemisphere.
“This led to some volume constraints, as well as significant price inflation on many lines, which affected the supermarket business and contributed to improved profitability.”
During the year, the group’s general produce division, Poupart Imports, extended its range of produce, and was able to increase its contribution to the group’s overall profitability.
BerryWorld, which is part of the group, increased its turnover by 12.3 per cent to £192m, driven by sales of its proprietary strawberry and raspberry varieties, and its prepared fruit division, PrepWorld. Olins said: “The demand for healthy options appears to have struck a chord among consumers, which was also reflected in the increased sales of blueberries.”
During the last financial year, the Poupart group’s soft fruit venture in the Netherlands also witnessed progress, growing its turnover by 25 per cent to €47m. BerryWorld purchased a controlling stake in the company on 31 December 2013 as part of the group’s strategy to develop its business in continental Europe.
Elsewhere in the Poupart Group, OrchardWorld had a “satisfactory” year despite the fact the company “has many challenges to face given the changing environment relating to its grower vase and its customers’ desire to deal directly with growers”, whie Norton Folgate suffered through adverse climatic conditions, but now finds itself in a “better place to exploit new opportunities.”
Olins concluded: “The board remains optimistic for all its businesses in 2014, and wishes to acknowledge the enthusiasm and contribution made by all its staff in achieving the result for 2013.”
