‘Partial integration’ is the way ahead for suppliers working with Anglia Farmers says its chief executive Clarke Willis.

Delivering his overview at the agricultural purchasing group’s sixth conference dedicated to suppliers, Mr Willis urged delegates to engage in joint business plans with the group for mutual benefit.

“It’s all about volume,” he said. “When you consider that UK fertiliser sales represent 1 per cent of the global fertiliser market, the challenge becomes clear. We are dealing with massive conglomerations. By comparison the UK farming sector is fragmented and by coming together, we can create more meaningful volumes. That is why large companies like Bernard Matthews and large agribusinesses like Shropshires have joined Anglia Farmers.

“Partnership and collaboration will help us to cope with increasing volatility in the agricultural marketplace.”

Announcing a new employee benefit scheme, Mr Willis explained that the group’s purchasing power is also available to members.

While deflation of fertiliser and fuel prices has accounted for only a small increase in turnover, George Bell, the group’s chairman said that the underlying growth of the business remained at a consistent 30%.

Filling the 350-seat capacity at the John Innes Centre in Norwich, suppliers were updated on all relevant areas of operation at Anglia Farmers including accounts administration which handles nearly 30,000 invoices per month. As such, paperless invoicing is already a reality in which a growing number of suppliers and members are participating.

With a six-strong team, membership services was highlighted as another positive activity for suppliers. The team actively collates huge amounts of market data to benchmark prices and volumes which is used to forecast requirements with suppliers.

External presentations came from agricultural consultant David Bolton who gave an overview of how global food security presents opportunities for Norfolk farmers while Vodafone’s Jamie Thompson showed where communications are heading.