Tag Archives: business

Asda to sell new chips from Bartletts

Albert Bartlett has announced that Asda will be the first UK supermarket to list the newest member of its frozen potato range: Albert Bartlett Rooster Chunky Chips in a 900g pack.

The company launched its frozen range in October last year after buying the former Heinz and Aunt Bessies factory in Westwick in Norfolk. Three product lines: Homestyle chips 1.5kg, Rooster Homestyle chips 900g and Rooster Roast Potatoes 900g are available in Sainsbury’s, Morrison’s and the Co-op. The new Rooster Chunky Chips will be available in Asda from 25 April and the company claims they are one of the biggest cut sizes of any branded chunky chip on the market.

Albert Bartlett’s head of marketing, Michael Jarvis, commented, “We are delighted that the Albert Bartlett frozen range is launching in Asda with the proven Homestyle Chips, Rooster Roasts and the delicious newly developed Chunky Chips. We have quality control in every step of the process, from the growing right through to the preparation and freezing at our own plant in Norfolk.”

Photo Credit: Albert Bartlett

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Scottish farm incomes halve

The incomes of commercial farms in Scotland are estimated to have halved over the four years to 2014. The latest reduction in farm business income, a measure of the return to unpaid labour on commercial farms, continues a four year decline in average income.

Estimates from the Scottish Government’s annual Farm Accounts Survey show that average farm business income fell by a quarter (£8,000) between 2013 and 2014, to £23,000; the lowest level of FBI since the measure was introduced. Income has been falling since a peak in 2010. Since then, commercial farms have seen a decrease of 55 per cent (£28,000) from an average of £51,000.

The report shows that one in five farming businesses north of the border made a loss. The Scottish Government also warned that the decline could have continued since the statistics were compiled. ‘While cattle prices remained steady in 2015, milk, potato, cereal and lamb prices fell,’ it added.

Photo Caption: The Scottish Government building

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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UK houseplant sales up

Houseplants were the best performing traditional category at garden centres which are members of the Garden Centre Association (GCA) during February (2016).

Sales were up 29.83 per cent up compared to the same month last year (2015) according to the GCA’s Barometer of Trade (BoT) report. Other good performers were furniture and barbecues and the best performing non-traditional category was clothing.

Iain Wylie, GCA Chief Executive, explained, “After a couple of months of good performances in clothing and gifts, it’s great to see the houseplants category now having its moment. When the winter weather is properly set in it is always nice to be able to bring some much needed colour into the home and one of the best ways to do this is with houseplants, particularly cyclamen and orchids. February was a particularly popular time for houseplants due to Valentine’s Day.”

However, other plant lines performed less strongly. Iain added, “Seeds and bulbs sales were just 3.76 per cent up, however this is expected to pick up in the following months when more people get out into their gardens.”

For the month of February the overall garden centre performance and Year to Date change showed an increase of 20.92 per cent.

The post UK houseplant sales up appeared first on Hort News on 23 March 2016.

Sainsbury’s reports rise in sales

Sainsbury’s has revealed its first quarterly rise in sales for more than two years.

It said that its sales through established stores and online rose 0.1% in the nine weeks ending 12 March. The figures included a 14% rise in online grocery sales, 10% rise in sales of clothing and 11% lift in sales of entertainment products, such as CDs and DVDs.

Of particular interest to growers will be news that food price deflation slowed at the retailer to 1 to 1.5% from 1.5% and 2% over the previous six months. The company said underlying sales at its large supermarkets were flat to slightly down, with the vast majority of growth coming from online, but that products tapping into new foodie trends like ‘courgetti’ (spaghetti made from courgettes) and ‘boodles’ (noodles made from butternut squash) had helped to attract new customers.

Photo Credit: Sainsbury’s

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Ukraine bans Spanish leafy vegetables

From the start of this month (March 2016) Ukraine has banned the importation of leafy vegetables from Spain.

According to the Director of the Phytosanitary Inspection Service of Ukraine, Vitali Romanchenko, the measure is necessary because of “repeated violation of phytosanitary protocols by Spanish products at border controls.”

The decision affects broccoli, cauliflower, lettuce, endive, escarole and cabbage, as well as other varieties of Baby Leaf salad, which Spanish exporters supplied to Ukraine both fresh and refrigerated.

As Spain is Europe’s largest producer of brassicas and similar crops over the winter, Ukraine is likely to seek alternatives sources in North Africa. “If Spain is not suited to export to Ukraine, it remains to be seen whether other countries outside the EU will be able to guarantee the food safety standards Ukraine demands,” said one Spanish exporter.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

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Fyffes records record rise in profits

Ireland-based Fyffes Plc has reported revenue growth of 7% for the last year, mainly thanks to growth in bananas and melons.

Fyffes said EBITDA was up 16.4% at €56.1 million, representing the group’s seventh consecutive year of earnings growth.

“There was adverse weather in the early part of the year in the production regions which increased costs and resulted in some quality issues in certain varieties for part of the season. This had a modest adverse impact on average selling prices,” Fyffes said.

“Towards the end of the year, the Group purchased additional melon farming assets in Guatemala which contributed to a mid-single digit increase in volumes in this category in the year and is expected to result in a 25% increase in volumes on a full year basis in 2016.

It added that it had, “achieved a strong result in the banana category in 2015, with a mid-teens percentage increase in operating profits. This was delivered despite a significant currency headwind, with the US Dollar strengthening by 16% and 7% against the euro and Sterling respectively during the year. The impact of this was partly mitigated by reductions in key input costs, further logistical efficiencies combined with lower fuel costs, operational efficiencies in the Group’s distribution network and reductions in other import costs.”

Photo Credit: Wikipedia Commons

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Low prices hurting growers

Speaking at the NFU Conference, NFU president Meurig Raymond has warned that completion between multiple retailers, coupled with delays to the Basic Payment, volatile markets and poor weather mean that UK farmers and growers face unparalleled financial pressures.

He called for ‘actions to back the words’ from Defra on its 25-year plan for food and farming, which has been mooted for several months. Mr Raymond said, “British farming has felt blow after blow in recent years – one thing I know for sure is there is no possible way that any sector can carry on in the same vein. Farmers borrowed a £17.8billion from banks in 2015 – a record high. This paints a picture for the many businesses having the profit squeezed out of them. Viable businesses cannot continue operating without profit and farms are no exception.

“We are calling on the government to provide the tools our sector needs to overcome the challenges and ensure they thrive. The 25-year food and farming plan must address the fundamental issues of productivity and competitiveness. It needs to see a culture change about how we value food and farming.”

In her speech, Defra Secretary Liz Truss agreed, “Farmers here in Britain have faced a tough year.” However, while she promoted a number of technical innovations and research spending, she said little about addressing unsustainable market prices.

Photo Credit: Richard Crowhurst

The post Low prices hurting growers appeared first on Hort News on 26 February 2016.

Asda asks for supplier payments as profits fall

Asda boss Andy Clarke has said the company will lead the UK supermarket industry in the long term, despite the firm posting the worst quarterly drop in earnings in its history.

The 5.8 per cent fall in fourth-quarter sales, which included the crucial Christmas trading period, was the sixth straight quarterly decline posted by the retailer and was the worst set of Christmas trading figures from the major UK supermarkets.

Mr Clarke said, “In the long run we’ll win in this market. Market share is important to us … But what’s more important is financial control and stability. That’s going to give us an advantage to win in this market.” The company has said it will invest £1 billion to help price cuts, but has recently been reported as requesting help from suppliers.

An unnamed source told the Guardian that suppliers had been asked for “significant amounts of money”, adding, “Individual suppliers are being asked for millions of pounds and asked what they want in return.”

However, the retailer said it wanted to work collaboratively and wasn’t asking suppliers to hit a particular price point. It also said it was working with Groceries Code Adjudicator Christine Tacon to ensure it complied fully with the code.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

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Not for profit berry company launched

In what is thought to be the first such project in the UK, a new not-for-profit soft fruit marketing agency has been established.

Berry Alliance is a Not for Profit (‘NFP’) company which has been set up to support growers throughout the world supply direct to retailers in the UK and for retailers to deal direct with growers. It aims to reduce costs for both suppliers and customers in the supply chain compared with traditional marketing companies.

The company has been founded by Pascal Simian and Steve Sadler who together have 40 years of combined experience in the produce sector. Pascal said, “After 18 months of careful research and refinement, we’ve honed a solution that’s mutually beneficial to all parties—Berry Alliance, a not for profit (NFP) company that supports growers throughout the world to supply direct to UK retailers, and for retailers to deal direct with growers.

“Unlike an importer, the contract to supply is between the grower and the retailer, not with Berry Alliance. As an NFP, Berry Alliance can’t make a profit. It does not own the fruit and all supply chain savings, which are significant, are passed on as better prices to the retailer and enhanced returns to the grower. The model is entirely transparent, with the progress of orders and every penny in the process accessible to both parties, at all times.”

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APS Salads acquires North Bank Growers

According to Dutch media, The Greenery has sold NorthBank Growers to APS Salads.

The move comes after Cornerways Nursery last year decided not to renew its marketing agreement with the Dutch group, instead signing five year deal with Thanet Earth to sell its produce. According to a spokesperson The Greenery, which has owned NorthBank Growers since 2012, is currently sourcing other local producers in the UK to serve the British market.

APS Salads is the largest tomato grower in the UK. In May last year they purchased the Wight Salads Group, bringing their total area to 106 hectare, of which 46 is modern glass.

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