Agricultural purchasing group Anglia Farmers told a packed audience at its annual suppliers conference that it provided one of the most secure routes to market.

Given the group’s members farm 440,145 hectares owning 335, 657 of them with an estimated value of £2.4 billion and assets stand at £1.4 million, chairman George Bell said:

“During these difficult trading times, Anglia Farmers is a good deal as there is a high expectation of being paid.”

Even with last year’s rise in fertiliser and fuel costs, a 51% growth in turnover to £145 million indicates that business is healthy. Opportunities for suppliers also exist beyond the main inputs by providing members with all their needs such as machinery, vehicles, building materials, telecommunications, electricity and insurance.

Chief executive Clarke Willis emphasised two-way benefits between the group and its 1,460 suppliers:

“We are proving time and again that planned purchasing helps everyone. Because of the data we hold, we can forecast our members’ requirements and collate bulk orders. This gives our suppliers plenty of time to plan and deliver large volumes. It is this co-ordinated approach for cropping and livestock requirements that gives all round benefit from manufacturer through to farmer. We call it the ‘new input supply chain’ and efficiency is further enhanced with suppliers who are developing bespoke business plans with us.”

This, as business development manager David Moar pointed out, includes the opportunity for suppliers to join the group as associate members to reduce their admin costs and increase business with Anglia Farmers.

Guest speakers at the event included Anglia Farmers director and farmer Kit Papworth, David Lawrence – principal at Easton College and Nik Snelling – director of IT specialists InTouch Systems.