Berry Gardens held its 2013 AGM on 29 April, with chairman Paul Kelsey praising the group's performance despite the challenges it had faced over the past 12 months.
'Berry Gardens performed well during 2012, in spite of wet and cold weather in the UK which created a challenging production and marketing environment for both soft fruit and stonefruit,' Kelsey outlined. 'Profits were held at the previous year's level and sales were the second-highest reported by the society – with the cooperative benefiting in particular from the work done over the previous years to grow its counter-season business.'
Kelsey noted that the group had, in line with its cooperative principles, shared rebate payments in the region of £3m (€3.5m) with its UK members this season.
'Berry Gardens and our partner Driscoll's continue our commitment to industry leading investment in plant breeding to help deliver an improved varietal offer,' he continued. 'We are therefore delighted with the agreement reached in 2012 to extend our partnership arrangements with Driscoll's on an extended basis.
'This, combined with the funding of both our own and wider industry research projects, will be essential in maintaining our industry leading varietal offering, reducing the costs of production and increasing productivity for our membership. This commitment to our growers' future is unparalleled within our industry.'
Looking ahead, Kelsey admitted the economic environment remained uncertain, but said he remained confident the group's cooperative model would continue to deliver the best proposition to consumers, retailers and growers.
No comments yet