Batchelors, the food group, has increased its profit before tax from £1,409,000 to £2,323,000 in the year ended March 31st, 1996. Sales grew from £28.5 million to £30.4 million. The group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Northern Foods (Ireland). Reflecting previous years' net profits, after dividends, the accumulated profits amount to £7.7 million, according to Private Research.