The increasing power of the leading retailers is always put firmly in perspective when results time comes around each year. That Tesco can negotiate from a basis of sales amounting to £28.6 billion understandably leaves many suppliers around the world in awe.

Producers in the UK are no exception of course. The Journal has long been an advocate of the adoption of joint initiatives and schemes to raise the stature of growers in the industry. Defra?s funding of the FCC?s bench marking effort must, in this context, be put to good use.

Mergers and acquisitions are one route to economies of scale, but the benchmarking of systems and processes can have the same effect when applied effectively on a group basis.

The avocado industry is one that has made significant gains in recent seasons through increased co-operation on an international scale. As Mark Tinsley points out, the neighbours are not necessarily your main competitors anymore.

It doesn?t hurt to learn more about your competitors ? which is a concept the Dutch, the Israelis and growers throughout the southern hemisphere took on board many years ago and have utilised to great effect.

Benchmarking promotes efficiency and uniformity through the supply chain, which this industry has to take very seriously if it wishes to reduce the effects of the numerous imponderables that face it.

It also requires growers to co-operate, combine resources and share knowledge, which will strengthen their role in the category management process.

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