Grower numbers at the soft and stone fruit producer organisation and marketing group increased by 17 in 2001 as the organisation merged with Hereford Fruit and welcomed other new producers.

As a result, the group was able to increase turnover and market share clinching almost half of the National Summer Fruits total UK strawberry production for the supermarkets and 55 per cent of the raspberry share. Cherry sales increased to 45 tonnes from 24 tonnes the previous year and plums rose from 120t to 393t.

Sales turnover for the year for UK and imported fruit stood at £16.6million and the group posted a 54 per cent increase in net profit before rebates for the financial year to December 31, 2001.

'We've had another record yearSincreased our sales and market share,' said chairman Angus Davison. 'SThis year I am pleased to announce that the KG board has set the level of rebate at 1.25 per cent, which in turn means that some £525,000 will be returned shortly to our members to help them finance the start of this year's soft and stone fruit seasonSIn the last financial year, this means that the average actual cost of marketing through KG is less than 4.5 per cent.' The group's remaining profits have been invested in reserves, strengthening its capital base to more than £1million.

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