Fresh vegetables supplier in Peterborough creates jobs as sales reach new high

A grower and supplier of fresh vegetables in Peterborough has reported record sales as it works to help feed the nation during the coronavirus crisis.
Andrew Burgess examining strawed carrots.Andrew Burgess examining strawed carrots.
Andrew Burgess examining strawed carrots.

Family-owned Produce World, based in Great Drove, Yaxley, has even been recruiting staff as it picks and packs tonnes of fresh vegetables to meet an unprecedented demand from nation’s supermarkets.

Andrew Burgess, divisional managing director, said: “We’ve had three massive weeks with our deliveries up 50 per cent.

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“We are starting to settle down to a new normal but that is still 15 to 20 per cent higher than previously.”

Bringing in the fresh vegetables at Produce World.Bringing in the fresh vegetables at Produce World.
Bringing in the fresh vegetables at Produce World.

Produce World, which supplies carrots, potatoes, parsnips, onions and beetroot to all supermarket chains, turns out 1.5 million packets organic carrots a week from Yaxley and five million packets of potatoes and vegetables.

Mr Burgess said: “It has been the equivalent of three Christmases in a row - and usually we start planning for Christmas in June but we have not had any time to prepare for this.

“It has been an incredible achievement by our teams. They have done a fantastic job. We have seen record sales at Yaxley.”

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The surge in demand from the supermarkets came as shoppers stripped shelves of many foodstuffs fearful the Covid-19 outbreak and the Government’s lockdown would leave them stranded at home.

Mr Burgess said: “There has been a lot of talk about panic buying but we are seeing a fundamental change in our food supply channels.

“Before the health scare many people were often eating out of the home. But now they are eating three meals a day at home.

“As a result we have seen a huge increase in demand for our produce from the supermarkets.”

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Produce World has just taken on an extra 12 staff at Yaxley, where it employs 120 people.

It will also need another 200 people later in the season at its farms in Norfolk.

Mr Burgess said once the health crisis is over, people may be left reconsidering the nation’s food security.

He said: “If this continues drivers may not be able to travel overseas. From the end of May, the south European season starts when we import produce. It is looking good at the moment and there aren’t any worries.

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“But the UK should be more self-sufficient in its food production. We used to be 80 per cent self-sufficient but that has fallen to 50 per cent.

“This crisis may change people’s perception of the value of food security and they may demand that more is grown in the UK - the best way to do that is by buying more home grown fruit and vegetables from the shops.

“Eating more fruit and vegetables is also a very good way of building up the immune system, which is particularly important at this time.”