Florette owner expands UK operations
The business will be renamed Agrial Fresh Farms Ltd and form part of Agrial’s strategy to establish fully-owned growing operations in the UK and “demonstrate its commitment to investing in its UK supply chain”.
Angflor is the UK’s largest protected cropping facility for leafy salads, thanks to the region boasting some of the best light levels in the country, enabling it to cultivate high quality salad leaves on a significant scale in the UK. The buisiness produces baby leaf products such as lambs lettuce, which are key components of some of Florette’s most popular products.
Alongside its existing European network of growers, the acquisition will contribute towards UK supply continuity, providing added protection against the supply issues that often impact the salad market.
Sourcing from Angflor will also have a significant positive environmental impact, helping Florette reduce food miles. It has a strong water footprint, as the site is built to harvest rainwater and store it for future use, making it self-sufficient in water.
Agrial has sourced salad leaves from Angflor and its former owner Jepco for a number of years.
Doug Robertson, managing director of Agrial Fresh Produce Ltd, said: “In the years we have been sourcing products from Angflor, the site has gone from strength to strength, expanding from 11 to 28 hectares of salad production capability, helping Agrial Fresh Produce to broaden supply channels and increase its ability to source key ingredients from the UK.
“Establishing close links with agriculture is a key part of the Agrial model, as it enhances our product expertise and brings benefits to the supply chain. Taking sole ownership of the site and renaming it ‘Agrial Fresh Farms Ltd’, cements our position as an expert in salad growing in the UK.”
