Difficult weather conditions at home and abroad contributed to a slight drop in profits and turnover for JO Sims during the most recent financial year.
According to figures released to Companies House for the year ending 31 December, 2013, the Lincolnshire-based fresh produce giant recorded a turnover of nearly £43.6 million, down from the previous year's tally of just under £44.7m.
Pre-tax profits for the most recent financial year, meanwhile, were £637,000 - down from £894,000 in the year ending 31 December, 2012.
A spokesperson forJO Sims, which has been trading since 1896, said: 'This year presented some difficult challenges which were mainly due to environmental conditions. Fresh cherries - being the key product for the business - were impacted by adverse weather events in South America, where the worst frost in 40 years decimated the crop. Available supply volumes, quality and costing were all adversely affected.
'Likewise, the poor weather conditions in Europe delayed the European crop for several weeks, coupled with a late English crop which meant that English fruit was still available in the marketplace at a time when we should have been supplying imported product.'
He added: 'Continued sterling weakness, particularly against the Euro, adversely affected gross margin during the year.'
Nevertheless, the company declared itself 'satisfied' with its pre-tax profit for the most recent financial year, and said turnover was 'broadly in line with forecasts for the year.'
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