Nearly 20% of The Sunday Times' Top Track 250 ranking of Britain's biggest mid-market private companies are from the food and drink industry.

A total of 44 companies, ranging from retailers and manufacturers, to wholesalers and distillers, appeared on the list published this week. Scottish-based frozen food retailer Farmfoods, with sales of £400.6m and a profit of £6m in 2005, was the highest ranked food and drink company in fourth place, while poultry processor 2 Sisters Food Group also sneaked into the top 10.

Wholesaler Henderson Group was ranked 11th, and another seven wholesalers from The Grocer's Big 30 also featured in the Top Track 250. Other wholesalers on the list included James Hall & Co (36), Dhamecha Cash & Carry (43), Capper & Co (77) and Parfetts (103).

Warburtons (17), Weetabix (22), William Grant & Sons (23) and Bargain Booze (30) all made it into the top 30.