East of Scotland Growers, the Fife-based producer organisation and co-op with 15 vegetable grower members, has merged with R&K Drysdales of Berwickshire, one of the UK’s largest Brussels sprout growers and vegetable processors and packers.
The merger has also seen the firms create an additional growing business, Pease Bay Farms, to produce brassicas and alliums over more than 405ha exclusively for the merged business. It will become part of the producer organisation alongside the existing members who grow around 2,428ha of brassicas, carrots, onions and asparagus in Fife, Angus, Perthshire, Kincardinshire and the Scottish Borders.
“This merger is very unique within Scotland and combines two firms with a longstanding history of high quality produce,” said Andrew Faichney, managing director of East of Scotland Growers. “With a collective turnover approaching £50 million the merger provides stability and security for our growers and an additional range of products and value to our customers.”
R&K Drysdales has invested in what is believed to be one of the most sophisticated and high output grading, packing and storage facilities in Europe. In addition to Brussels sprouts it grows and packs swedes and leeks at its farm in Berwickshire.
Mr Faichney said the deal coupled Scotland’s leading vegetable growers to the country’s premier brassica packer, and meant adding Drysdales’ winter cropping to the summer cropping portfolio of East of Scotland Growers, creating a sustainable, year-round producer. Amalgamation would also create new opportunities for growers in the region, he added.