Yorkshire farmer co-op Bata looks to the future

Members are reinvesting in North Yorkshire farmer co-op Bata, following the failed attempt to demutualise it last summer.

A new chief executive is being recruited to run the business, where the bulk of sales are in feed, fuel and retail farm supplies.

Bata’s accounts for the year to 30 September 2023 show a pre-tax profit of £2.2m on a turnover of £134m in the year ended 30 September.  

See also: Bata members vote to retain co-op status

Turnover was down 12.6% on the previous year, when performance had been particularly strong as business rebounded from the pressures of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 2023 results also showed the effect of inflation, geopolitical events and the considerable pressure pig and poultry businesses were under, said the annual report.

The co-op is paying a 2% bonus on qualifying purchases by shareholding members, 3% interest on their share capital and a £2/t bonus on own-brand feeds, similar to the previous year’s rates.

The demutualisation bid cost a significant sum, which would otherwise have been retained in the business, said chairman Stephen Greenfield, who is also chief executive of the Sledmere Estate and became Bata chairman following the defeat of the privatisation move.

“The business remains in an extremely strong financial position and presents a great opportunity for a new chief executive to lead it into the next stage of its development,” he said.

In a newsletter to members, Mr Greenfield described the recent past as a disruptive and unsettling period, during which the enthusiasm of hard-working and loyal staff had ensured business as usual for customers and members.

Bata was established 130 years ago, it has about 4,000 members and about 320 employees. As well as the feed and fuel divisions, it has 11 country stores across North and East Yorkshire, a Thompsons town and country store, two fuel stations and also owns specialist equestrian supplies business Robinsons.