County Down food producer’s sales soar as company secures Asda Christmas food deal
County Down food producer, Lynn’s Country Foods has reported that sales in the year to February 2023 soared by 22%, from £119.3 million to £145.3 million.
Based in Downpatrick, it is the parent company of artisan food manufacturer, Finnebrogue, and is a major supplier to many of the top supermarkets across the UK.
According to the accounts, filed at Companies House, gross margin fell from 25.9% to 24.7%.
The company has Standard Pig Price (SPP) agreements with all its major customers, whereby selling prices vary in line with SPP market movements. The average SPP for the year ending February 2023 was higher than SPP for the year ending February 2022, which the company said was a “contributing factor” to the increase in the year-on-year sales (£) and the decrease in the year-on-year GP%.
Lynn’s Country Foods is under the ultimate control of director and majority shareholder, Christine Lynn, whose husband and founder of the company, Denis Lynn, died tragically in a quad bike accident in May 2021.
News of the increase in sales comes as Finnebrogue announced its exclusive range for Asda, which features 10 new Christmas products and will be available across the retailer’s stores in the UK.
This brings the total number of listings for the company to 36, across fresh meat, meat-free, chilled, frozen meat, and party food.
‘SHOPPERS DELIGHTED’
Finnebrogue’s relationship with Asda began in 2014, when the company secured the business to produce Extra Special Gluten-Free sausages. Now Finnebrogue supplies all Asda own-label gluten free sausages, including Just Essentials, Asda Brand, and Extra Special, three Asda Brand nitrite-free bacon products, a selection of Plant Based by Asda & OMV! Meat-Free products, as well as a selection of fresh and frozen Christmas lines.
Barbara Mullan, Product Developer at Finnebrogue said: “We are over the moon to work with Asda once again to launch 10 new products into stores in the lead up to Christmas. The range of seasonal lines caters for all occasions during the festive period.
“We also created a large selection of vegan and meat-free lines, catering for those who want to try something different this Christmas and for people who are reducing their meat consumption. We know the Vegan Roast Dinner for one will be a welcome addition to those catering for only one meat-free diner at the table.”
Cathy Elliot, Asda’s Buying Manager for NI Local added: “We’ve worked with the Finnebrogue team for almost 10 years now, and we are thrilled to see an extension of its Christmas products launched into stores, with 10 new lines available in the run up to the festive season.
“Our shoppers will be delighted with the addition of these new options for Christmas, bringing locally sourced products to the dinner table at this special time of year.”
