The move underlines the bakery and patisserie ingredient specialist’s commitment to future generations through responsible, transparent and local sourcing. The Puratos local and transparent fruit sourcing programme aims to embed sustainability through the entire value chain, from sourcing of raw materials to usage of products by customers and consumers.

Fourayes’ range of fruit fillings, industrial jams and mincemeat – all manufactured at its 100-acre English Bramley apple orchard in Kent – will complement and enhance Puratos’ existing local fillings capabilities in Simonswood, further expanding the offer of locally-produced ingredients to customers.

Julia Darvill, Managing Director at Puratos UK and Ireland, said: “We are delighted to welcome Fourayes into the Puratos family and are excited to continue its proud legacy; supporting British farming, providing farm-to-fork transparency, and demonstrating exemplary ESG practices.

The relationship with Fourayes first took root back in February 2022, when we partnered up to launch Utterly Fruity, a unique range of real fruit and vegetable pieces, and in the succeeding months our connection has grown even deeper.

We found Fourayes to be an ideal fit for Puratos, both being family-run, customer-focused, heritage-rich businesses with innovation, people and traceability at their core. We are committed to upholding and building on Fourayes’ reputation as a first-class farm and factory and look forward to a fruitful future.”

The Fourayes farm and factory are surrounded by English Bramley apple orchards, with fellow prestigious Red Tractor suppliers of British-grown fruits in close proximity. Its location in Kent makes it ideally placed for branching out to the European market, with potential opportunities to bring the Fourayes range to the wider Puratos Group.

Phil Acock, Managing Director at Fourayes and third generation owner, will remain in a non-executive role at the company but will pass over ownership to Puratos on completion of the acquisition.

Phil, who is also Vice Chairman of industry association British Apples and Pears, said: “As businesses, Fourayes and Puratos are aligned in their goals and they’re both resolute in their dedication to adding value for customers and innovating for good. We wholly believe that together, we are stronger, and the bringing together of these two ingredient powerhouses has untold potential. I am confident that the synergies between Puratos and Fourayes will unlock further growth and value for our customers and help them to cater to the call for healthy options, transparency, and integrity from increasingly conscientious consumers.”

Puratos’ exclusive Taste Tomorrow research recently revealed that over a third of UK consumers now look for the inclusion of ‘power ingredients’, such as fruit, in their food and almost half (44%) wish to buy products that contain locally sourced ingredients. The research also found that 66% believe food made with local ingredients is better for the environment.

About Puratos UK  

Puratos UK is part of an international baking, patisserie and chocolate ingredients business with over 100 years of rich and varied knowledge. It uses the latest consumer insight, research and technology, combined with knowledge of food around the world, to offer creativity and new ideas through its highly regarded UK Innovation Centre. Puratos UK offers a full range of innovative products and application expertise in the bakery, patisserie, dessert, dairy and chocolate sectors.

Servicing artisan bakers, food industry manufacturers, retailers and foodservice businesses both in the UK and internationally, Puratos Group has subsidiaries in 81 countries and products available in over 100 countries. Above all, it aims to move the planet forward by creating innovative food solutions for the health & well-being of people everywhere