Duchy Originals, the UK organic food business founded by the Prince of Wales, has booked a loss of over GBP3m (US$4.7m) as sales slumped and the company incurred costs from the sale of its bakery.

In a filing at Companies House, Duchy reported a loss of GBP3.3m for the year to the end of March 2009.

Go deeper with GlobalData

Data Insights

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

The loss was due in part to just under GBP2m in charges from the subsequent sale of its bakery site in Launceston.

Excluding one-off costs that included the Launceston sale, Duchy booked a loss of GBP1.2m.

Turnover came in at GBP2.2m, against GBP4.1m in Duchy’s previous financial year.

In prior years, Duchy handed its profits to the Prince of Wales’ Charities Foundations but the loss meant no donation was made this year.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Company Profile – free sample

Thank you!

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

By GlobalData
Visit our Privacy Policy for more information about our services, how we may use, process and share your personal data, including information of your rights in respect of your personal data and how you can unsubscribe from future marketing communications. Our services are intended for corporate subscribers and you warrant that the email address submitted is your corporate email address.

However, chairman Michael Jary said Duchy’s tie-up with Waitrose, the upmarket UK retailer, will “significantly increase” the company’s donations with investment in the Duchy brand planned.

Waitrose will make, distribute and sell Duchy products in the UK and Jary said the retailer aims to double the Duchy range from 200 products “to around 500”.

Jary added: “The agreement is good for the company, good for the Duchy Originals brand, good for Waitrose, good for our consumers and good for charity.”