Berry Gardens Growers Ltd has reported a sales increase of four per cent in 2010 at its AGM held in Maidstone last month.
Sales reached a record high for the group of some £193 million, breaking the previous record set a year earlier in 2009. In line with the group’s co-operative principles, a reduction in headline commission rates and an increase in commission rebates was announced at the 39th AGM.
Total rebates to members arising from the group’s strong financial performance are therefore more than £2m.
Finance director Nick Allen said: “This demonstrates the ongoing success of the owned-by-growers’ business model. 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.”
New chairman Paul Kelsey said reporting the results gave him great pleasure. “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 grower,” said Kelsey. “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. 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.”
Berry Gardens claims it is the UK’s leading berry and stone fruit production and marketing group with a market share of some 40 per cent during the UK season and a year-round business supplying all the UK’s leading retailers.
Kelsey also used the AGM as an important opportunity to thank Marion Regan, who stood down as chairman at the end of 2010. Kelsey said: “There are few people who have served Berry Gardens with as much enthusiasm and passion and I am delighted Marion will continue to do so as a key member of the Berry Gardens Growers board.”
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