YAMS 2017

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WHOLE CROP MARKETING Ltd ( WCM ) was established in 2008 by Mark Tomlinson and David Burks , creating a Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire growers ’ co-operative . It has 37 fully committed growers from Scotland to Cornwall , 10 of whom are grower members and shareholders in the business . Supplying and marketing seed and ware potatoes , Whole Crop Marketing helps small and medium sized growers to large corporate businesses to find the right market for the whole crop 52 weeks of the year , even when markets and prices are fluctuating .

The potato varieties offered by WCM are suitable for a wide range of customers and applications within the food sector including fresh table , crisping and chipping . The business offers complete flexibility in the supply chain allowing for graded and ungraded product which is supplied in boxes , bulk or bags .

“ With our business ethos centred on supply chain trust our volumes are increasing year on year , in the last 12 months we have marketed a total of 135,000 tonnes of potatoes ,” says Mark .

As well as focussing on strong relationships with growers and customers alike , WCM is encouraging a vibrant and dynamic working environment and is developing a young yet experienced team to take the company forward . The majority of the younger team come from farming families and have a strong work ethic as a result .

“ We aim to support our growers by accelerating innovation and productivity to ensure that both WCM and the grower continue to be competitive , resilient and profitable into the future , at the same time enhancing sustainable relationships with our customers ,” David explains . “ As a result , WCM Agriculture has been formed as a division of Whole Crop Marketing , led by our Head of Agriculture , James Hopwood in order to enhance

and drive the development of our growers as we continue to strive to be leaders in the market place and differentiate ourselves from our competitors , as well as understanding and fulfilling our customers ’ requirements , challenges and corporate and social responsibilities .

“ As a business , we must thrive from the opportunities presented from the challenges we face , as such the future is bright considering how far WCM has come since its creation eight years ago , Whole Crop Marketing is definitely ploughing the right furrow , and we look forward to working with our valued growers , both new and old , into the future .”

36 Dec / Jan 2017 www . farmers-mart . co . uk