Now majority-owned Thanet Earth achieves record sales
Fresca Group has reported a strong set of results for its 150th trading year as it delivered its fifth consecutive year of growth.
Group sales at the Kent-based fresh produce grower and supplier rose 23 per cent to £526 million in the 52 weeks to 25 April 2025, with EBITDA up 17 per cent to £15.7mn.
Pre-tax profits rose from £2.6mn a year ago to £5.4mn in 2025.
Fresca said the results highlighted “the continuing transformation of one of the UK’s most established fresh produce businesses, underpinned by long-term investment in technology, sustainability, and domestic production”.
“These results reflect the strength of our strategy and the hard work of our people,” added chief executive Martyn Fletcher. “We’ve built a resilient, well-balanced business that’s delivering for our customers today and investing to secure tomorrow’s supply.”
A key contributor to the result was Thanet Earth, which is now majority-owned by Fresca after it increased its ownership of the joint venture last year. The site achieved record-breaking sales, Fresca said, with construction underway on a new 6.5ha glasshouse that will increase output by around 150mn tomatoes per year.
Elsewhere, Primafruit delivered a record sales year through its retail partnership, supported by continued automation investment at its Evesham site. The Avocado Company and Cartama Europe also both reported solid growth.
Mack Wholesale, the original Fresca business founded in 1874, continued its modernisation journey with a new ERP system. Ship Stores benefited from the continued recovery of global cruise travel, while Fresh Clear expanded its customs and logistics solutions to help clients navigate evolving post-Brexit border rules.
Despite an exceptionally difficult UK growing season, DGM Growers and Manor Fresh achieved robust results through technological innovation and crop optimisation, Fresca said. Fresca Spain successfully mitigated severe European weather disruption to maintain quality and continuity of supply, it added
Fresca’s annual report also highlighted its sustainability work, with investment in cleaner fuels, HVO alternatives and electric logistics. Its people-first culture remains central to its success, it stressed.
