Working together for better business

摘要

There is huge scope for expansion of co-operative working, say industry experts. Jack Shamash reports. Over the past few years growers have had to adapt to the realities of modern life. Squeezed on one side by the big retailers and on the other by cheap foreign imports, UK growers are now forming partnerships with firms in other parts of the food chain. According to many industry analysts, this sort of partnership is likely to be the pattern that will shape the future of the industry. In the past there have been many growers' co-operatives or farm controlled businesses, where a grower might, for example, produce jam or chutney or add value by processing the vegetables. But the new kind of partnerships are taking things to another level. Instead of just selling vegetables, growers will form semi-permanent links with other firms. They will often be mentioned in the sales literature and advertising and will become part of the "offer".