UK: Commercial developments at Berry Gardens
"First, we are pleased to have recently concluded a new commercial agreement with Driscoll's, reported Mr Marston, "which clarifies both parties strategic approach to the UK market, and allowing Berry Gardens and Driscoll's to undertake longer term planning of our respective businesses."
Paul Kelsey, Chairman, added: "Driscoll's Genetics Ltd, based here at East Malling, was established over five years ago and the benefits of that investment are now starting to come through with several new selections being introduced this year. We launched the first Junebearer strawberry, Driscoll's Diamond, this spring. So far it has shown great promise with superb appearance, class leading flavour and both good yield potential and low picking costs. A second Junebearing selection is also about to be commercialised. Further in the pipeline there are a number of other exciting new strawberry, raspberry, and blackberry varieties that are being grown in small commercial quantities this year before being named and released."
Mr Marston also announced Berry Gardens' additional investment in its packing facility based at Wares Farm, Linton. "In order to support our continuing growth out of the UK season, we will shortly break ground on a £1.3 million expansion of the site, with major investment in additional cold storage, a lorry park and improved facilities for our staff," he said. Mr Marston stated that the site had packed 3.7 million more punnets in the year to the end of June compared to 2011, during which the weekly packing record was also broken.
"It is important that we continue to invest in our facilities," said Mr Marston. "Our imported business, which now accounts for one third of our turnover, is a major area for growth and we will be upgrading the facilities to ensure that we are not constrained by the current limit of our main operating site."
For more information:
Darren Laws
ZestST
Tel: +44 (0)1634 672874
Mob: +44 (0)7958 304375
[email protected]