UK importer, The Avocado Company, has reported a significant increase in UK market share, as they prepare for their strongest summer season so far, according to parent company Fresca Group.
This is despite Covid related drop in efficiencies, added import costs and labour challenges.
“We focused very much on maintaining customer service, and worked closely with our retail partners to plan promotional activity carefully, to help bring new shoppers into the category for long term growth, and we’ve maintained service through very difficult times when others were unable to supply.” said Commercial Director, Rob Davies.
Davies credits the strength of the relationships with their grower partners, and a very dedicated team of colleagues for “pulling out all the stops”.
“Winning additional depot supply and some major new business agreements, in both the retail and foodservice sectors, sees us supplying circa 25% of all avocados in UK supermarkets”.
Sales at The Avocado Company have grown by more than 25% over the last 3 years, to a turnover of £36m. This strong performance, together with some existing supply agreements that had converted into longer term partnerships, has unlocked significant investment from Fresca Group.
“This has allowed us to invest with confidence and we now have the opportunity to improve upon our already ‘best in class’ facilities and bring in the very latest technology for ripening, storing and packing. Work has already begun on our full refrigeration upgrade, and we’ll share more about the next exciting phase of our plans in due course. Our entire investment programme is centred on delivering consistent quality, improved yields and longer shelf life for the consumer and we’re realising our ambition of investing from end to end, having the ultimate control over our supply chain.”
“Now that hotels, restaurants and the catering sector have re-opened, our exciting investment plans mean we’re ready to meet the ongoing, increasing demand across the retail, wholesale and foodservice sectors.”
“Both The Avocado Company’s own brand and Mack Premium’s ripe and ready avocados into wholesale, enjoyed significant sales growth. They meet the demand from buyers for quality products that communicate sustainability of production and ethical credentials, and both have that reassuring stamp of premium quality.”
Whilst the summer holidays in the UK typically brings swings in demand for avocados, the ongoing situation points to sales enjoying another summer like the last. 2020 saw the UK avocado market hold steady, as high volumes came from a combination of good weather and consumers having time to make more adventurous meals at home. With the re-opening of hospitality, and the enduring travel restrictions, a strong summer of sales is again predicted, and demand will be high.
For more information:
Nikki.Churchill
Fresca Group
nikki.churchill@frescagroup.co.uk