Agriculture purchasing group targets growth

Half year results from Anglia Farmers Limited indicate that the agricultural purchasing group will realise an increase in annual turnover of around 13%.

Turnover for six months to the end of July was £81.2 million. The forecast for the year to the end of January 2011 is £160 million – an increase of £18 million on last year’s turnover of £142.1 million.

Clarke Willis, chief executive of Anglia Farmers, said:

"Our membership is growing steadily and existing members are doing more business through AF. We are focussing on the latter to a certain extent as there is potential to increase turnover to £250 million on the potential requirements of our existing members. Unlike most business scenarios where ’turnover is vanity’, this cannot be said for a turnover levy based purchasing group. Our business model means increasing volumes to negotiate better prices.

"But we are also mindful that we have to enhance the supply chain and we encourage suppliers to work with us. We help farmers not just with competitive purchasing but also with financial risk management through forward planning. Forward planning then becomes mutually beneficial."