A leading fruit supplier is celebrating after smashing through the £100 million sales barrier.
KG Fruits, the UK’s largest soft and stone fruit co-operative with 70 members, said its turnover in 2004 was £104m, up from £91m in 2003.
Founded in 1995, when the Kentish Garden co-operative opened its own marketing operation, the business has grown from a starting turnover of £19.5m.
Nicholas Marston, KG’s managing director, said: “Critical mass is vital in the modern world. KG’s position as by far the largest, and we believe best, player in the industry means we can provide marketing and exclusive varietal development for our growers on the most cost-effective basis.”
Volumes for the co-operatives members have grown on average by 20 per cent per annum, both from existing members and through the amalgamation of Hereford Fruit in 2001 and Plantsman in 2004.
The group said a significant proportion of the turnover increase has also come from what it describes as its significant imported berry business.
Marston added: “We plan to continue to grow and to build market share, and we expect further rationalisation in the supply side of our industry, as other supply companies find they are not large enough, or good enough, to compete.”
He said the organisation’s continued success would be ensured by its growers’ ability to be at the forefront of the industry and to continually look at new ways to improve yields, fruit quality and production efficiencies.
