HGi has become the largest grower of seed potatoes in Scotland. The company, which came about when Gordon & Innes was taken over by the Higgins Group in September 2000, produces 10,500 tonnes of seed potatoes a year covering 25 different varieties with 750acres under production in Morayshire.

HGi works with a network of Scottish growers as well as having its own production. This gives it access to a further 20,000 tonnes of seed potato a year. More than 30 per cent of the group's product is exported. 'We have pioneered supply chain management in the potato industry and that chain starts with seed,' said David Higgins, group md of the Higgins Group. 'In order to prove and further develop our innovative methods and processes, it is important that, as well as working with growers, we are ourselves a major grower.' The Higgins Group was established in 1959 and is the UK's largest family-owned potato marketing company. It handles more than 350,000 tonnes of potatoes annually.

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