Two fresh produce growers join in £50m merger
© GNP Two Scottish vegetable growers, East of Scotland Growers and R&K Drysdale, have completed a merger and formed a new additional business called Pease Bay Farms.
East of Scotland Growers is a co-operative with 15 grower members, producing broccoli, cauliflower, onions and cabbages.
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The growers cover a combined area of more than 2,400ha and one million cubic feet of cold storage.
R&K Drysdale is a large grower and processor which employs up to 300 staff packing and growing swedes, leeks and brussels sprouts in the Scottish Borders.
Andrew Faichney, managing director of East of Scotland Growers, said: “This merger is unique within Scotland and combines two firms with a longstanding history of high-quality produce.
“With a collective turnover approaching £50m, this merger provides stability and security for our membership and will provide an additional range of products and value to our customer base.”
Mr Faichney added that this was an exciting development, not just for stakeholders but for the entire fresh produce farming industry in Scotland.
The newly formed Pease Bay Farms will grow 400ha of brassica crops for the organisation.