British tomato growers have been told not to under-estimate their value.
The Tomato Growers’ Association annual conference took place against a potentially crippling backdrop of high fuel prices, but welcomed more than 200 delegates.
“Tomatoes are a massive category and penetration is huge,” said William Church of JPMO, elected as the TGA’s chairman for the next two years. “We should not undervalue what we have as British growers, when you consider that around 90 per cent of the British public will, at some point over a year, buy tomatoes.”
Douglas Gurr of on-line grocery wholesaler Blueheath gave a sideways look at the future for British growers and raised the question of forming a British brand.
Recruitment and labour issues were also tackled by speakers at the gathering: Tim Pratt of FEC Services looked at gaining maximum output from staff while Max MacGillivray of recruitment consultant Redfox addressed the issues of staff retention and motivation.
But the dominant theme was energy efficiency and alternative energy sources reflecting industry mood. “The main feeling was one of concern,” said Church after the conference. “Some people were positive and expressed the view that we have to take a long-term view and ride out fuel prices.
“There is more competition now than last time there was a fuel crisis, but that does not mean that all is rosy in other sources. For example, there is a lot of work that needs to go on in Poland to meet required standards.”
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