A leading UK asparagus producer has quit the industry.
Tuddenham Hall Foods is selling its asparagus operations to rival producer Bomfords for an undisclosed sum.
The move may come as a surprise to many in the industry, particularly given the recent triumphs of the UK asparagus sector, which has seen sales rise in value and volume by more than 50 per cent.
However, Richard Clement, joint managing partner of Tuddenham Hall along with his brother, said the time was right for them to make the sale.
“We were the largest UK asparagus grower, packer and marketer, with around 300 acres, but the business had reached a scale where it needed to be taken to another level. Food retailing is a very challenging business and we felt the time was right for us to make a business move.”
The company’s stumbling block was the fact it is based entirely round UK supply, said Clement.
“We’ve been involved in the sector for 15 years and took the business to a large level just on UK supply.
“For a small seasonal business, you still have to provide the same levels of quality and service as a 52-week business, there are no short cuts, and finding the right staff for such a seasonal business is tricky.
“You need to be in the business 52 weeks of the year and Bomfords has that.”
No-one at Bomfords was available to comment on the deal, but Clement said the move made sense for the business: “Bomfords is a substantial asparagus grower in its own right, category manager for Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and a major supplier to Waitrose. So this adds to its portfolio.
“It also gives it an east-west split. Bomfords will be moving our packing equipment and grading to one of its packhouses, but maintaining the growing business in the east of England, and that will add an element of security to its supply.”
He added he and his brother would work with Bomfords to ensure a smooth transition but would not be involved beyond that.
The Clements’ decision has surprised some in the industry. Victor Aveling, chairman of the Asparagus Growers Association, said: “I can’t understand why they’ve given up as they were one of the largest suppliers. It could only be down to family reasons or being fed up with dealing with the pressures of the supermarkets.
“It’s always been the case that if you want to supply the multiples you have to be a 52-week business, seven days a week.”
However, Aveling said the consolidation is unlikely to have a negative impact on the industry. “We’ll have to wait and see how the supermarkets react to the deal, but I don’t see the merger adversely affecting the industry. It might help certain chains to get better supply, but that’s just speculation.”
He added the deal will place Bomfords top of the size list in the asparagus sector. “The company would have around 400 to 500 hectares now. I say good luck to it. Bomfords are professionals and I welcome it. A job well done by professionals can only be good for the industry,” said Aveling
