Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Chelmer Foods Ltd is a leading UK-based importer, distributor, and supplier of dried fruits, edible nuts, seeds, pulses, and related food ingredients. Based in Braintree, Essex, the company has built a solid reputation over decades for its expertise in global sourcing, reliable logistics, and high-quality bulk food distribution to the UK and European food industries.

Core Business

Chelmer Foods operates as a B2B wholesaler and importer, supplying raw and processed agricultural commodities to manufacturers, foodservice providers, bakery industries, and packaging companies. The company’s end-to-end service model includes global sourcing, quality assurance, import logistics, warehousing, and just-in-time distribution.

Product and Service Offerings

Chelmer Foods offers a comprehensive product range across multiple food ingredient categories:

• Dried Vine Fruits:

  • Sultanas
  • Raisins
  • Currants

• Tree Fruits:

  • Apricots
  • Apples
  • Pears

• Tropical Fruits:

  • Mangoes
  • Pineapples
  • Bananas

• Berries:

  • Cranberries
  • Blueberries
  • Goji Berries

• Edible Nuts:

  • Almonds
  • Cashews
  • Walnuts

• Seeds:

  • Sunflower Seeds
  • Pumpkin Seeds
  • Chia Seeds

• Pulses:

  • Lentils
  • Chickpeas
  • Beans

• Bakery Ingredients:

  • Desiccated Coconut
  • Glace Cherries

These ingredients are typically supplied in bulk or industrial pack sizes for further processing, repackaging, or use in food manufacturing.

Specialization and USP

Chelmer Foods’ unique selling proposition lies in its ability to consistently deliver high-volume, high-quality, globally sourced commodities backed by expert knowledge in food legislation, market dynamics, and supply chain stability. Key differentiators include:

• Direct sourcing from growers and processors in Turkey, USA, South America, Asia, and Africa
• A deep focus on dried fruit and nut market trends, supported by internal and third-party market intelligence
• Long-standing relationships with global suppliers and processors
• A customer service model that includes stock management, forward booking, and technical documentation

Financial and Shipment Insights

While privately held, Chelmer Foods is recognized as one of the largest importers in the UK’s dried fruit segment. Industry data and trade sources report:

• Annual Import Volume: Estimated 20,000+ metric tons across all categories
• Top Import Origins: Turkey (apricots, sultanas), USA (almonds, cranberries), China (pumpkin seeds), India (lentils, chickpeas)
• Key Clients: Large-scale bakeries, cereal manufacturers, private-label brands, and food service providers
• Distribution Reach: Nationwide UK and expanding across mainland Europe

Target Market

Chelmer Foods primarily targets:

• Food manufacturers (bakeries, cereal, snack, and health food producers)
• Bulk commodity retailers and wholesalers
• Industrial food packers
• Catering and institutional foodservice suppliers
• Organic and health food distributors

Capabilities

• Import and freight coordination with global suppliers
• Dedicated warehousing and distribution channels
• In-house product quality control and specification monitoring
• Real-time stock reporting and managed inventory systems
• Flexible contract terms including spot buying, forward contracts, and call-off orders

Certifications and Compliance

Chelmer Foods adheres to stringent UK and EU food safety regulations:

• BRCGS Certified Agents and Brokers
• SEDEX Member ensuring ethical supply chain compliance
• All suppliers meet standards including GFSI, HACCP, and Organic Certifications where applicable
• Full traceability and allergen documentation support for food manufacturing compliance

Customer Testimonials

“Chelmer Foods has consistently provided us with high-quality ingredients and proactive support on market trends, which is critical for our planning.”
— Supply Chain Manager, UK Snack Manufacturer

“Their depth in the dried fruit market is unparalleled. From technical documentation to price trend analysis, they add real value to our procurement process.”
— Head of Procurement, Bakery Group UK

Major Achievements

• One of the top 5 UK importers of dried vine fruits by volume
• Successfully navigated post-Brexit supply chain transitions with minimal disruption
• Recognized for excellence in supplier transparency and compliance documentation
• Long-term supply contracts with leading UK food manufacturers and private-label processors
• Maintains an industry bulletin and insights platform, keeping clients informed of commodity market changes

With decades of industry experience, robust international sourcing capabilities, and a deep understanding of food supply chain logistics, Chelmer Foods Ltd remains a preferred partner for dried food ingredient solutions across the UK and Europe.