Berry Gardens has reported that its annual sales increased by 4 per cent through 2010 to hit a new high of £193m (€221.6m), surpassing its previous best result recorded in 2009.
The group revealed that, following a reduction in headline commission rates and an increase in commission rebates, charges to members fell last year, with total rebates to members exceeding £2m (€2.3m).
'This demonstrates the ongoing success of the 'owned by growers' business model,' finance director Nick Allen commented. 'The rebate of profits earned to our growers, rather than being retained in complex corporate structures, supports Berry Gardens members' in continuing to make on farm investments.'
In his address to the group's Annual General Meeting, chairman Paul Kelsey said. 'It is with great pleasure that I can report on another strong performance of the Berry Gardens group. The current difficult national economic situation is well known and understood by us all, so it is especially gratifying to once again be increasing the levels of rebate to our growers. Grower profitability remains at the core of our co-operatives' heart.
'Our customers need to understand that we are a different organisation to our competitors,' he added. 'We are grower-owned, with a diverse membership that includes both large and small growers, spread across the whole of the UK. This gives us a unique ability to produce a range of varieties across a long season, which sets us apart from our competitors.'
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