Starting a dried fruit business

[Kaya05]

Hello,

I am thinking to start a dried fruit business which I will be purchasing high quality dried figs and apricots from Turkey. I am planing to work as a wholesaler to provide the fruits to the big supermarket chains or other big retail salers. What would be your comments or suggestions?

 

[bodgitt&scarperLTD]

Good luck even getting a supermarket buyer to speak to you, let alone pay you within 90 days. Start smaller.

 

[simon field]

What he said ^^^

What makes your dried fruit better than what's already available?

 

[Kaya05]

What he said ^^^

What makes your dried fruit better than what's already available?

This market is still growing and I believe with high quality products and competitive prices, you can create an opportunity for yourself. Am I wrong?

 

[Kaya05]

Good luck even getting a supermarket buyer to speak to you, let alone pay you within 90 days. Start smaller.

I will definitely start smaller, thanks for the advice. In terms of payment days, my agreement from Turkey will be pay when you sell. So I will not pay anything unless I sell them in here.

 

[simon field]

No, as long as you have more buying power, better service, and lower prices than Holland & Barrett, you'll do well.

 

[RobinBHM]

I cant imagine anything worse than dealing with the big league supermarkets.

Apart from having almost zero chance of getting anywhere near a buyer, any prices you agree would be shockingly low and payment terms would be 90 days or more.

I hate the power they have over suppliers, but thats the way it is.
Ask a farmer!

 

[Kaya05]

I cant imagine anything worse than dealing with the big league supermarkets.

Apart from having almost zero chance of getting anywhere near a buyer, any prices you agree would be shockingly low and payment terms would be 90 days or more.

I hate the power they have over suppliers, but thats the way it is.
Ask a farmer!

You are totally right! However, I can’t think of any other way to sell my goods in huge amounts. I can’t start a retail store or anything like that.

 

[simon field]

Ok I’ll ask again.

what sets you apart from all the other dried fruit sellers?

 

[Kaya05]

Ok I’ll ask again.

what sets you apart from all the other dried fruit sellers?

Ok, I replied this before.

yes, I will be one of the players in the market but my point is market is still growing and I believe that I can create my share with the high quality service.

Selling to the last customer is the hardest point of this job, It’s a thing that I don’t think I have enough source to achieve. I have to work with a supermarket for sure.

 

[simon field]

Right.

So you’re definitely going to ‘start smaller’

and definitely ‘sell to supermarkets’

Which ones have you approached so far, to see if there’s an opportunity or not?

 

[Chris Ashdown]

Do you know how many figs are imported into the UK every year, that should be your first piece of research. Then lookup import regulations for non EU countries as all foods have to meet specific standards

Everyone states their product is a quality item , but how do you prove it is worth more than the others, after all to many people a fig is a fig

 

[RobinBHM]

You are totally right! However, I can’t think of any other way to sell my goods in huge amounts. I can’t start a retail store or anything like that.

If you are selling wholesale, do you want to be involved with selling to retail or do you want to act as an importer and just sell to UK agents.

The market isnt just supermarkets. Dried fruits are used in lots of recipes, sold in markets, whole food shops, farm shops etc.

I buy almonds from amazon or ebay sellers in I think 2kg bags -its much better, cheaper than those tiny supermarket bags -im not saying you want to sell that way -but maybe approach the company that sells that way.

Here is one: hides fine foods ltd
https://www.amazon.co.uk/sp?_encodi...derID=&seller=A32W1KDZTBND3V&tab=&vasStoreID=

 

[Mark T Jones]

I think you’ve answered your own question

You don’t know how to sell or distribute to multiples and you haven’t yet established any kind of USP

those are the initial areas to work on

 

[Kaya05]

Right.

So you’re definitely going to ‘start smaller’

and definitely ‘sell to supermarkets’

Which ones have you approached so far, to see if there’s an opportunity or not?

I would be more than happy to hear any selling channels that you suggest.

yes, It’s almost zero chance to reach a buyer. So, should I give up at the beginning ?

 

[simon field]

Yes, I’d give up on this one. Unless you have massive buying power, a massive marketing budget, and are willing to be screwed into the ground by supermarkets expecting you to fund their business.

apart from that, it’s all good!

 

[Kaya05]

Do you know how many figs are imported into the UK every year, that should be your first piece of research. Then lookup import regulations for non EU countries as all foods have to meet specific standards

Everyone states their product is a quality item , but how do you prove it is worth more than the others, after all to many people a fig is a fig

You are right. The figs I will buy already being delivered to other EU countries, so they have the necessary licences.

I don't know the number, but the the market of exported figs from Turkey to UK is over 250m$ per year. It's a huge market.

 

[Kaya05]

Yes, I’d give up on this one. Unless you have massive buying power, a massive marketing budget, and are willing to be screwed into the ground by supermarkets expecting you to fund their business.

apart from that, it’s all good!

How about trying to find any other channels rather than the supermarkets?

 

[Kaya05]

If you are selling wholesale, do you want to be involved with selling to retail or do you want to act as an importer and just sell to UK agents.

The market isnt just supermarkets. Dried fruits are used in lots of recipes, sold in markets, whole food shops, farm shops etc.

I buy almonds from amazon or ebay sellers in I think 2kg bags -its much better, cheaper than those tiny supermarket bags -im not saying you want to sell that way -but maybe approach the company that sells that way.

Selling to the UK agents may be the best way.

What do you think?

 

[Kaya05]

I think you’ve answered your own question

You don’t know how to sell or distribute to multiples and you haven’t yet established any kind of USP

those are the initial areas to work on

I would definitely hear that from you guys. I am open to hear any advice.

I think I was unclear expressing myself in the first posts.

 

[simon field]

How about trying to find any other channels rather than the supermarkets?

sure. Those other channels will already be getting their dried fruit from a supplier they’re happy with, and at a price that’s competitive.

what can you offer that they can’t?

 

[Kaya05]

sure. Those other channels will already be getting their dried fruit from a supplier they’re happy with, and at a price that’s competitive.

what can you offer that they can’t?

are you saying all of these because are you familiar with the market competiton? Do you know about dried fruit market?

I work at B2B sales and price is always the most important thing, If you accept to earn less while entering the customer than you can set different prices later. It’s always like this.

 

[simon field]

No, I’m simply asking what your USP is.

 

[RobinBHM]

Selling to the UK agents may be the best way.

What do you think?

Yes. I have zero knowledge of your market, so cant advice.

If you supply to a supermarket, they will want it packaged ready to sell, almost certainly boxed in boxes and palletised to their specification. Tescos or one of the others would require timed delivery slots to all of their distribution warehouses. Suddenly you would become part of a sophisticated supply chain and your work processes would have to be reslly efficient to cope.

If the EU supply chain system gets mucked up over brexit, you may be able to take advantage.

 

[Mr D]

are you saying all of these because are you familiar with the market competiton? Do you know about dried fruit market?

I work at B2B sales and price is always the most important thing, If you accept to earn less while entering the customer than you can set different prices later. It’s always like this.

Yes you can set different prices later. And your competitors can also reduce price.
Putting price up may cause someone to look for your competition.

Getting customers based on price risks losing them to the next seller who offers them a better price.

 

[Kaya05]

No, I’m simply asking what your USP is.

my products will be 'organic' which means has better quality certificated.

My belief to the market demand is also another issue. Every article and the news I read online is related with the growing dried fruit market. I believe if you manage to supply consistent quality you can create your market.

 

[Kaya05]

No, I’m simply asking what your USP is.

Simon, I really appreciate your challenging questions, thank you for your time because it's always important with discussing others and hear different ideas.

I don't want to make any mistakes and I will try to find best solutions to your answers.

 

[Mr D]

my products will be 'organic' which means has better quality certificated.

My belief to the market demand is also another issue. Every article and the news I read online is related with the growing dried fruit market. I believe if you manage to supply consistent quality you can create your market.

Organic appears popular with suppliers these days.
Market demand may well be being met already by suppliers increasing their market share. Its rare to find demand without it being met.
You come along and offer your product, the existing supplier may well wish to keep their sales.