The outlook is bleaker than ever for fresh produce businesses, according to a Plimsoll report. "Zero growth, sliding profits and escalating debts have pushed a third of the UK fresh produce industry to the brink of failure," it said. It is a picture of consolidation as supply outstrips demand and "companies are experiencing a difficult trade-off between protecting margins and appeasing price-sensitive customers". Plimsoll has rated 199 of the largest companies in the "need to change in order to survive" bracket. The company's David Pattison said they "must put immediate plans into place to trade their way out of the problems - cutting costs and jobs, and even turning unprofitable work away".
On a more positive note - of the sort that may provide inspiration for beleagured growers - Lincolnshire Co-operative has signed up to regional marketing body Select Lincolnshire. This means the retailer will support Select Lincolshire's initiatives.
Parripak Foods is marketing kohlrabi, which was a popular vegetable in the UK after the Second World War. Kohlrabi resembles an uglier version of a turnip, with leaves.
Southern Salads has entered the retail market for the first time by supplying 14 fresh produce lines to Spar.
Has the number of customer complaints about the price of goods increased recently?
