Food companies lead Northern Ireland's Top 100

Poultry processor Moy Park is Northern Ireland's biggest company, according to a new survey of the region's Top 100 businesses. The company, now owned by Marfrig, Brazil's leading meat business, recorded a turnover of £921 million this year.

Moy Park, based at Craigavon, County Armagh, saw pre-profit rise by 52 per cent to £27.8 million during the year. The company now employs more than 10,500 people in its processing and marketing operations.

In addition to Moy Park, nine other food and drink companies are listed in the Top 100 survey by the Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland's largest newspaper.

The listings are a further demonstration of the strength of food and drink processing in Northern Ireland and the overall contribution of agri-food, valued at £3.7 billion last year, to the local economy. Food and drink is now the region's biggest manufacturer and exporter of products worldwide.

The other food companies include Dunbia, listed at nine, and the region's biggest red meat processor, which reported a 15 per cent rise in turnover to £620 million. Dunbia is headquartered in Dungannon, County Tyrone and has processing operations in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland which employ over 3,000 people.

Fane Valley Co-Operative, based at Armagh, County Armagh, the region's biggest co-operative is listed at 24 with a turnover of £371 million, up 16 per cent, and a pre-tax profit up 88 per cent to £4.9 million. The co-operative includes red meat processor Linden Foods in Dungannon, County Tyrone and White's Oats, Tandragee, County Armagh.

Manderley Food Group, Tandragee, County Armagh, a manufacturer of snacks including Tayto Crisps, listed at 28, increased turnover by one per cent to £136.9 million and saw pre-tax profits fall by two per cent to ££4.3 million.

United Dairy Farmers (UDF), Belfast, owners of Dale Farm, is the region's largest dairy co-operative and is ranked at 51. UDF recorded a 21 per cent rise in turnover to £400.2 million and saw pre-tax profits rise 16 per cent to £4.2 million.

Another red meat processor, Foyle Foods in Londonderry, listed at 56, saw turnover slip eight per cent to £217.3 million and pre-tax profits rise 27 per cent to £3.3 million. Kerry Group operations in Northern Ireland, listed at 59, reported static turnover of £204 million and 67 per cent drop in pre-tax profits to £4.7 million. Kerry companies include Dairy Produce Packers in Coleraine, County Londonderry, a market-leading producer of cheese slices for foodservices.

Beverage leader Coca Cola, based at Lisburn, County Antrim and listed at 61, saw turnover drop by one per cent to £205.1 million and pre-tax profits fall by 31 per cent to £4.2 million.

Hilton Meats (Retail), Carrickfergus, County Antrim is listed at 75 and reported a one per cent rise in turnover to £243.5 million. Pre-tax profits up 29 per cent to £7.9 million.

Listed at 81 is Diageo (NI), which produces 65 per cent of the output of Baileys Irish Cream Liqueur. The company has operations in Belfast and Newtownabbey in County Antrim. It reported an eight per cent increase in turnover to £292.7 million with pre-tax down 85 per cent to £3.5 million. The company also owns Old Bushmills Distillery in County Antrim.

The list also includes the main food multiples led by Tesco (2),

Asda (4), Sainsbury (14), and Dunnes Stores (15). John Henderson, Spar and VG operator, is at 18. Food and drink distributor SHS is at 55 with turnover of £370,8 million, down 11 per cent, pre-tax profit £24,2 million, up 27 per cent.