UK: Welsh potato supplier unearths growth

Pembrokeshire-based Puffin Produce, which supplies potatoes and other vegetables to major supermarkets across Wales, has reported growth in turnover and pre-tax profit, boosted by a growing customer base and investment in the business. The company, headquartered at Withybush in Haverfordwest, was founded in 1995 and evolved from the Pembrokeshire Potato Marketing Group, a growers’ co-operative formed during the 1970s. It currently packs about 35,000 tonnes of potatoes each year, supplying Asda, Marks & Spencer, Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Waitrose supermarkets across Wales. According to recently filed accounts for Puffin Produce Ltd, turnover rose to £15.9m in the year to 30 June 2015, up from £14.6m in 2014. Pre-tax profit also increased to £1.32m from £1.22m the year before. More