It has been another good year for United Oilseeds, despite profits being hit by market volatility earlier in the year.

The company made a pre-tax profit of £770,000 in the year to 30 June 2010, down from £1.03m in 2009. That was on an annual turnover of £101m, up 5.2% over the same period.

“Last March to June the oilseed rape market moved a lot higher than we anticipated and it was very difficult to read,” managing director Chris Baldwin admitted. “But we’ve continued to grow our business at an exceptional rate over the past 12 months, despite these challenging trading conditions.”

Farmer membership had increased 3.5% since last June, to 3206 members, while the total volume of oilseed rape moved at harvest from new and existing members was up almost 50%, he said. “We moved more than 210,000t of oilseed rape from farms during July and August, equivalent to an average of 5000t or 172 loads per weekday.”

Mr Baldwin said that over the last three years the firm’s profit share scheme had paid each of its trading members an additional £49 for every 29t load of oilseed rape and linseed. Some £324,000 was paid back last year and the company is due to announce the 2010 payment later this financial year.

He also said the company’s share of certified seed sales had grown by 23% over the past 12 months. He suggested the overall market for certified seed had increased, possibly by as much as 264t (17%) compared with last year, taking total UK certified seed sales to 1809t.

“Our research indicates that the certified seed market now accounts for 75% of all osr plantings in the UK. Nationally, the volume of hybrid varieties sold was up 28%, giving them a 35% share of the total certified seed market.”

The best selling hybrid variety was Excalibur, while the top conventional variety was DK Cabernet, closely followed by Sesame, he noted.