CHERRY VALLEY FARM REWARDED FOR CONTINUED SUCCESS IN CHINA
Cherry Valley Farm have won the Continued Commitment Award at 2009 Cathay Pacific China Business Awards. First introduced four years ago, in 2005, these annual awards are designed to acknowledge and celebrate UK business dynamism and success in Hong Kong and China.
Lincolnshire based farm group, Cherry Valley, is the largest manufacturer of duck and duck value added products in the UK. Cherry Valley was selected from a pool of entries reflecting a range of sectors including education, charity, manufacturing, professional services and technology. Their achievement was recognised by Cathay Pacific’s awards at the luncheon held at The Mandarin Oriental, London attended by leading business figures from the UK, Hong Kong and China. One of three award categories, Cathay Pacific’s Continued Commitment Award recognises outstanding and continued commitment to Hong Kong and China, through past efforts or future projects, by an established UK based company.
The judges were highly impressed by Cherry Valley’s long-standing commitment to training local professionals, developing local leadership and promoting the transfer of knowledge. Currently Cherry Valley employs in excess of 3,500 people in its China operations. The bulk of these are in Henan Province where the Chinese Government was keen to increase the income of rural families. Having operated in the UK and China for over 30 years, the company has undergone continuous growth and expansion in the region. In 2009 the Lincolnshire based high-welfare farm celebrated its 50th anniversary along with a Freedom Food accreditation.
Richard Bird, Managing Director of Cherry Valley, said “We are delighted and honoured to receive the Continued Commitment Award. Cherry Valley has a long-standing relationship – over thirty years – with Greater China, and our involvement with the region is deepening each year. We are committed to helping Greater China achieve the highest standards in terms of biosecurity, stock management and husbandry, health and safety, and environmental awareness. In addition, we are providing the market with a healthier eating option – a traditional Peking duck will have in excess of 35% fat, a Cherry Valley bird will have a fat level of less than 27%, a difference of 23%. The Cherry Valley duck converts its feed to meat rather than fat, which has both economic and social benefits for consumers of duck meat.”