The pound's weakness against sterling restrained growth in annual sales and profits at Northern Foods, the UK group that owns the Batchelors grocery and Green Isle pizza businesses in the Republic. Currency adjustments calculated at March 31st cut £12.4 million (€15.8 million) off the group's 1999-2000 turnover and £1.1 million off profits. Profit margins at Batchelors came under pressure from increases in raw material costs as a result of the pound's weakness against sterling and the US dollar. At Green Isle, though, sales and profits have continued to grow strongly on the launch of its Goodfella's Pizza Pie in the Republic and the UK.