Scotland’s main vegetable and salad crop processor enjoyed an increase in both turnover and profits last year.
Kettle Produce, which is based near Cupar in Fife, posted a 12.5% increase in turnover to £113.565million for the year ended May 31, 2016. This is up from £100.889million in 2015, and £96.212million the year before.
Sales within the UK increased to £113.394million, from £99.727million previously, while sales to Europe fell 85% to £171,000.
Accounts filed with Companies House also reveal that pre-tax profits in the year were up 14% to £2.374million, from £2.087million previously. This compares to a pre-tax loss of £1.196million in 2014.
In her report, company secretary Elizabeth Waugh said: “The result was delivered through the introduction of new sales lines to new and existing markets and an ample availability of crops.
“Growing conditions can have significant impact on operating costs but for a further year, the business enjoyed good raw quality materials which allowed efficient production practices.”
She said the company had made investments to complement its enhanced product portfolio, and future investments would be considered to improve process flow.
The accounts also reveal that the highest paid director at the company, which employed a monthly average of 1,021 people during the year, took home a pay cheque of £179,000. This is up £1,000 on last year.
Kettle processes carrots, swedes, parsnips, leeks, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, green, white, red, savoy and sweetheart cabbages and spring greens, iceberg, romaine, cost and little gems lettuce from it bases near Cupar.
The company sources produce from around 50 growers in Aberdeenshire, Angus, Fife, the Lothians, Perthshire and south-west Scotland.
In 2003 the company formed a joint venture in Spain. It also runs several supply partnerships with major growers in England, France, Spain and Portugal. In total, the company is responsible for nearly 15,000 acres of crops grown across the UK and Europe.
