Girvan Early Growers
Grangestone Industrial Estate, Girvan, Ayrshire KA26 9PY
Chairman:Andrew Young Secretary:SAOS Ltd (Duncan Todd)
Tel:01465715328 Fax:01465 715700
The Ayrshire early potato may be a culinary delight but for growers it can be a fickle crop, subject to the vagaries of the weather and fluctuations in demand.
One grower with a lifetime experience in the crop is adamant that early potatoes would not figure in his farming business were it not for his membership of a growers’ co-operative.
Alex Kyle is the Chairman of Girvan Early Growers Ltd which started life in 1990 as a “loose amalgamation” of growers and whose six members have since brought a discipline to production and marketing that has earned the group a 50% share of the market in early potatoes from Ayrshire.
“As individuals we were selling against each other with no bulk of product for price negotiation. Now, with 700 acres under our control we have built sound relationships with a number of major packers which ensures our product is presented in the leading main retail outlets, the supermarkets.”
A number of principles lie behind the success of Girvan Early Growers.
The group is a “hands-off” operation from the members’ own farm businesses with each having a percentage share of the company varying from 3% to 32%. Returns are paid out pro rata.
The group grows only requested varieties, no crop is planted unless there is a secured advance outlet and the aim is to be first in the market at all stages of the selling season.
After discussion with customers as to the following year’s requirements on varieties and quantities, September sees the preparation of cultivation, planting and harvesting plans. Members rent potato land to the group and other suitable land is identified in the locality after soil sampling by Scottish Agricultural College (SAC).
Around 15 varieties are grown with planting from January to April and the harvesting period extending from June to September.
The group employs two full time staff, a mechanic and a general worker, and all other labour, tractors and equipment are hired in at machinery ring rates.
In 1997, Girvan Early Growers made a major investment with a grading and cold storage facility for 750 tonnes of crop. Part financed by Bank of Scotland, Ayrshire Enterprise, and SAOS sourced funds from Europe and the Scottish Office, the store on the outskirts of Girvan has been the key to phased marketing.
In the previous year the group diversified into other crops and Girvan Early Growers (Vegetables) Ltd - with a separate member base - now grows 10 acres of shopping swedes and 60 acres of carrots.....” the earliest in Scotland”...for Kettle Produce in Fife.
The next development being considered for the business is the installation of crop washing facilities, a direct response to the trend in supermarkets for clean product.
Alex Kyle: “From a standing start just over ten years ago we now have a sound business with a product in demand and a turnover of £1.5 million - impossible to achieve as individuals but demonstrably attainable as a group.”