In the UK, Berry Gardens Growers Limited has revealed at its annual general meeting that group sales have surpassed £200m (€246m) for the first time in its 40-year history.
At the AGM, finance director Nick Allen reported that sales for 2011 had climbed 11 per cent on the previous year, up to £214m (€263m), meaning that Berry Gardens Growers members would receive a share of a total rebate pool that was in excess of £3m (€3.7m) – in 2010, £2m (€2.5m) was paid back to members.
'This year Berry Gardens has much to celebrate,' said chairman Paul Kelsey, who noted that the co-operative's results support the assertion that the grower-owned model can deliver 'sustained long-term success fro members' within the UK fruit and vegetable sector.
Kelsey pointed to a period of economic challenge, and welcomed the fact that fresh berries stood as the number one category in supermarkets, leaping ahead of bananas, apples, citrus and grapes.
'Now, more than ever, Berry Gardens and its owners should be proud of what has been achieved over the past 40 years through co-operation, hard work and a belief in the long-term vision.'
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