Origin Enterprises increased its profit and earnings per share as its agri-services business surged over the year.

The company saw operating profit rise 10.9 per cent for the group to €85.9 million, but agri-services accounted €66 million of the figure. That was a 29.3 per cent rise for the division, and it comes as Origin repositioned its non-core business and focused more on agri-services.

Operating profit margin from the division rose 50 basis points.

Adjusted diluted earnings per share were 16.3 per cent higher at 43.34c

Chief executive Tom O’Mahony described the results as excellent.

“The improved backdrop for primary food production together with the sustained recovery in farm incomes has supported good volume growth and margin progression within our agri-Services business,” he said.

Origin made a number of acquisitions over the year, including United Agri Products, Rigby Taylor and the specialist fertiliser business of Carr’s Milling Industries.