Fenmarc has experienced a 9% drop in sales as a result of its sister company Puffin Produce starting to process its own sales.

Pre-tax profits at Fenmarc which supplies own-label veg to the multiples and owns the Very Very Veg Co brand fell 8.5%, to £2.7m, in the year ended 26 June 2010, according to accounts filed at Companies House. Turnover also fell, by 8%, to £76.6m in the same period.

Fenmarc had previously carried out admin and sales support for the Puffin business which supplies potatoes to the Welsh market including managing customer relationships, said managing director Richard Anderson. "The continued growth and success of Puffin and its management team mean it is now able to work directly with its ­customers."

Fenmarc's underlying sales were in line with prior years and it expected sales growth in the next 12 months, he added.