Norwich abattoir targets overseas appetite for offal in bid to beat rock-bottom meat prices

Hevingham farmer and managing director of abattoir HG Blakes Andrew Clarke.PHOTO BY SIMON FINLAY (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK)

The Felthorpe-based abattoir, near Norwich, has seen revenue take a hit over the last year, down to £15m from £17.9m, as a result of pressure on prices. However, managing director Andrew Clarke said by maintaining volume, pre-tax profits had remained largely static at £142,475 for the year ending August 31, 2015, up from £131,124 the year before.

Now Mr Clarke wants to invest in packaging and storage facilities to market the cuts of meat currently viewed as waste – such as offal – for which there is an appetite in countries such as China.

'The marketplace out there is extremely competitive,' he said. 'The last 12 months of trading has been the most competitive we have ever had. Over the next year we are planning to do some major investment in the company.'

The company also plans to diversify by moving into butchery to provide a fuller service, and expanding its target area, he said.

'We market our product as niche, local food with low food miles in regional markets.

'We have struggled in the last couple of years with the increasing difficulty of cheaper imported meat produce coming to the UK.

'It is a battle for us at the moment to compete. We can't compete on price.

'Our plan over the next 12 months is to build on our brand and try and move that forward.'

While HG Blake currently supplies more than 150 butchers and wholesalers in Norfolk and north Suffolk with about 2,500 pigs, 800 lambs and 250 cattle each week, Mr Clarke said he wanted to expand into the rest of Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Lincolnshire.

And increasing its work with pet food businesses, such as Watton-based Nature's Menu, was also part of the strategy, he said.

Are you expanding your business? Call business writer Sabah Meddings on 01603 772879 or email sabah.meddings@archant.co.uk.