Due to a challenging year, turnover and pre-tax profits dipped at a Birmingham-based global importer and wholesaler of fresh fruit and vegetables. Minor, Weir and Willis, which has been trading since 1963, has reported a turnover of £150.9 million for the 12 months to 31 December 2019, down from £157.2 million. Its pre-tax profits dropped from £3.5 to £2.8 million.
A company statement said: "The environment has remained challenging during 2019 with continued uncertainty on Brexit and its impact on the foreign currency exchange markets along with crop shortages in several major categories. The external commercial environment is expected to remain competitive, although we remain confident that we will return to a satisfactory level of performance in the future.”
"The Covid-19 pandemic has seen disruption on a global scale which has had a significant effect on our industry. Our first priority has been and remains to protect our colleagues and we have invested to minimise risks. The pandemic has disruption supply chains both through restrictions at farms and packhouses in supply sources and a reduced availability of air freight.”
"There have been major changes in customer channels with food service/catering sector demand reduced and retail/supermarket demand increased. Overall, the group has navigated these challenges well, but margins will be tighter as a result of the increased supply and operational costs that we and our supply chains throughout the world are experiencing."
[ £1 = €1,11 ]
Source: insidermedia.com