Oriental vegetable specialist Cherry Farms is seeing its supermarket business account for 60 per cent of company turnover for the first time ever, with the remaining 40 per cent consisting of Chinese customers.
“Around five and a half years ago, 100 per cent of our turnover was focused on the Chinese trade, but that is not the case any more,” director David HC Lam, right, told FPJ. “We supply most of the major retailers. Penetration into the multiples is now our major focus, and we only send them pre-packed product; our product knowledge and experience means we can edge out other competitors.”
Pak choi is still the mainstream product, but choi sum is also on the rise, according to Lam. “We will also start supplying Chinese broccoli, which is similar to tenderstem, but with a stronger flavour,” he said.
Cherry Farms was able to counteract last summer’s disastrous weather thanks to its 100 per cent greenhouse-protected production - 25 acres of production all under cover, meaning the firm supplies UK-grown produce 12 months round, supplementing with overseas volumes if necessary.
“We are boosting multiple orders, but are also supplying into foodservice companies like Reynolds and Kane, as well as a ready meal factory in Swansea,” said Lam.
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