The boss of Morrisons’ mushroom supplier says the appointment of a Polish woman to head up its producer group indicates that Poland is to become a far more significant player in the UK market.
C John Smith, MD of marketing and distribution company Greyfriars, has appointed Agnieszka Baginska, a 33-year-old former meat executive, as ceo of Northern Mushrooms. Smith, who has until now also been MD of Northern Mushrooms, will now become chairman of the producer group.
He said: “Poland has gained a reputation for producing exceptional quality, low-cost mushrooms. Northern Mushrooms will continue to be run from the UK with a strategic volume coming from UK farms, but this move recognises that a significant volume of mushrooms will come from Poland. This means an empathy with the problems and opportunities Polish producers face will be an important factor in its success.”
Earlier this year Northern Mushrooms expanded to include Polish mushroom producer Okechamp. Smith said Greyfriars’ projected turnover for 2005-6 was £22m, a 100% increase on 2004.