Joice and Hill has estimated the financial effect of a salmonella contamination at its hatchery at approximately £2.1m after the incident forced a temporary closure and the suspension of deliveries in spring 2026.
The contamination occurred between 23 March and 10 April 2026, according to the company’s accounts. The premises were subsequently closed from 13 to 27 April, deliveries were suspended and compensation was paid to customers.
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Joice and Hill estimated that the incident would result in approximately £1.5m of compensation claims and £600,000 in lost revenues. It classified the contamination as a non-adjusting post-balance-sheet event, meaning its financial effect was not included in the accounts for the year ended 31 December 2025.
The disclosure followed a year of record chick sales for the business. Turnover increased by 9.8% to £16.13m, up from £14.69m in 2024, as Joice and Hill sold 14.6 million chicks.
The company said the available market had grown by 2.5 million chicks, or 6.5%, compared with 2024. Directors attributed the expansion to sustained egg demand, stable feed prices and continued good egg prices, with consumers increasingly recognising eggs as an affordable source of protein.
Results
Gross profit increased by 7.5% to £3.06m. However, operating profit fell by 10.4% to £726,929, compared with £811,343 in the previous year. The operating margin consequently narrowed from 5.5% to 4.5%.
The directors said profitability had been affected by increased labour costs and higher parent-stock prices. Average employee numbers rose from 97 to 102, while total staff costs increased by 13.2% to £3.46m.
Profit before tax declined from £2.82m to £826,667, while profit for the financial year fell from £2.77m to £625,780. .
