AC Goatham & Son’s long-term investment highlighted in The Sunday Times
Kent fruit grower AC Goatham & Son has been featured in a national discussion about the future of British food production, with the company’s landmark partnership with Aldi highlighted by Aldi UK’s Chief Commercial Officer, Julie Ashfield, in a recent article for The Sunday Times.
In the piece, titled “Growing more of Britain’s food starts with the confidence to invest”, Julie uses AC Goatham & Son as a leading example of how long-term partnerships can help British growers make the significant investments needed to strengthen domestic food production and food security.
As the UK’s largest apple grower, AC Goatham & Son understands better than most that fruit growing is a long-term commitment. Trees planted today can take several years to reach full production and will continue producing fruit for decades. Investment decisions made now therefore require confidence in the future.
That confidence is underpinned by the company’s recently announced 20-year, £750 million supply agreement with Aldi, which includes the planting of a dedicated 200-acre orchard. The investment will help increase the production of British apples for Aldi customers while supporting jobs, innovation and long-term growth within the UK’s fresh produce sector.
Ross Goatham, Managing Director of AC Goatham & Son, said:
“Growing apples has always been about taking a long-term view. The orchards we plant today will help feed families for decades to come, so confidence and certainty are essential.
“We’re proud that our partnership with Aldi has been recognised as an example of how retailers and growers can work together to strengthen British food production. Long-term commitments give businesses like ours the confidence to invest in new orchards, modern technology, sustainable growing methods and the people who will lead the industry in the future.
“As a family business with deep roots in Kent but supplying nationally, we’re passionate about producing great-quality British fruit and helping ensure the UK remains capable of growing more of its own food.”
In her article, Julie Ashfield argues that food production should be viewed as a matter of national resilience, alongside other critical infrastructure. She notes that long-term agreements between retailers and growers provide the certainty required to invest in expanding production, improving efficiency and increasing the amount of food grown in the UK.
For AC Goatham & Son, that investment is already being translated into action. The company continues to invest in orchards, storage facilities, growing innovation and sustainable production practices to meet increasing demand for home-grown produce while maintaining the highest standards of quality.
Ross continued:
“British growers produce some of the best fruit in the world. With the right support, investment and long-term partnerships, there’s a real opportunity to grow more here at home, strengthen food security and create a more resilient future for British farming.”
The article is another important recognition of the role that growers play at the heart of the UK’s food system and highlights how collaboration across the supply chain can help deliver a stronger future for British agriculture.
Ends
Julie Ashfield is chief commercial officer of Aldi UK and you can read her piece in full at https://www.thetimes.com/business/companies-markets/article/growing-britain-food-invest-aldi-comment-resilience-pmvkdqncd.
Aldi: The Next Big Seller starts on Channel 4 on Thursday, 8pm