E Park & Sons has reported a substantial rise in turnover but a small drop in pre-tax profits as it becomes the latest potato firm to see a major swing in its finances following the disastrous 2012 harvest.
For the year ending 30 June 2013, the company's pre-tax profit was £1.2 million – down from £1.4 million in 2012, according to figures released to Companies House.
Turnover for the financial year rose to £49.5 million from £33.9 million the previous year.
E Park and Sons wrote in the directors' report: “Sales have risen by 46 per cent, due, in part, to a volume increase of 19 per cent, but mainly due to higher sales prices fuelled by the high cost of potatoes.
“The cold wet spring and summer of 2012 resulted in a poor harvest in the UK, and raw material had to be sourced from Europe at a higher cost per tonne and associated delivery costs.
“This has resulted in a drop in gross profit percentage from 34.91 per cent in the year to 30 June 2012 to 26.37 per cent in the year to June 30 2013 as these extra costs could not be passed on to retail customers.
“However, even in difficult trading conditions the company has managed to expand existing business and acquire new customers.”
The firm supplies potatoes to the retail and wholesale sector, and has offices across the UK.
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