Graig Producers South West

WHAT WE DO

OUR PURPOSE

The main purpose of Graig Producers South West is simply to keep organic farming members on their land by helping to ensure financial viability. This is done by:

• Increasing farm income by collaborative marketing to the supermarkets and other large buyers; (we have a policy of “Local First” which enables members to supply their own local markets before supplying the Group)
• Seeking new markets beyond the supermarket sector (including exports - www.graig-international.co.uk)
• Decreasing farm costs by bulk buying of inputs and services
• Enabling improved management through financial & management benchmarking, monitoring profitability, technical information, etc.
• Bringing stability and structure into the organic beef and sheep market to enable efficient and profitable movement of store animals through more predictable pricing
• Influencing the broader organic livestock and meat market in our members’ interests

ADDING VALUE TO THE FOOD CHAIN

Graig Farm Producers aims to improve the efficiency of fatstock marketing to the multiple retail sector by ensuring optimum quality and continuity of supply. It is not enough for a producer marketing group to exist for its own sake - it must add value to the food chain.

We do this by representing the interests of our members in a number of areas:

• Organic Beef and Sheep Development Group is a unique grouping of producers and all UK Organic certifiers which monitors production levels of organic beef and sheep;
• Organic Trade Board aims to increase the organic market though various activities. GP represents the organic meat and fish sectors on the OTB.
• Conferences. GP is often asked to speak at various conferences, and is able to draw on the expereience of our membership. We also organise conferences and meetings for our members and others on matters of concern to organic farmers.

THE NATIONAL PICTURE

Efficient livestock production and marketing requires a “joined-up” approach. This includes :

• Geographically — We have good connections across the UK organic meat sector; Graig Producers Wales and Borders is a sister group to GPSW; we represent the interests of Scotland's Caledonian Organics; we work closely with the main certifying bodies, and research organisations
• Within the food-chain , not only do we have good working relations with the processors, but we also meet regularly with the main supermarkets and their processors
• Large volumes talk - Influence in the market depends on marketing large volumes from our significant membership.