Exhibiting at International Food & Drink Event (IFE) 2025

Gerald McDonald & Company Limited is a UK-based global supplier and manufacturer specializing in fruit juices, juice concentrates, essential oils, herbs, spices, and seasonings. Headquartered in Basildon, Essex, the company has built a legacy of over a century in delivering high-quality, traceable, and sustainable food ingredients to the global food, beverage, and flavor industries.

Company History and Background

Founded in 1917, Gerald McDonald & Company began as a small citrus trading business and has since evolved into a leading importer, blender, and distributor of a wide range of natural food ingredients. The company remains privately owned and operates with a strong focus on quality, customer service, and long-term partnerships.

With over 100 years of expertise, the business has diversified into multiple product categories and developed robust global sourcing and supply chain capabilities, serving multinational manufacturers and niche market producers alike.

Core Business

Gerald McDonald's business structure encompasses:

• Importing and processing fruit juices, concentrates, essential oils, herbs, and spices
• Custom blending and flavor formulation for beverage, dairy, and culinary industries
• Wholesale and distribution to manufacturers across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas
• Brand management through its in-house and acquired product lines

The company services both large-scale industrial clients and specialized artisan producers.

Product Offerings

• Fruit Juices & Concentrates:

  • Citrus (orange, lemon, grapefruit, lime)
  • Soft fruits (apple, blackcurrant, raspberry)
  • Tropical & exotic fruits (mango, passion fruit, pineapple)
  • Juices, purees, comminute products for use in beverages, yoghurts, desserts, and sauces

• Herbs & Spices:

  • Full range of dried herbs, whole and ground spices
  • Culinary seasonings and blends
  • DIANA curry powder and seasoning blends, known for their authentic flavor and consistent quality

• Essential Oils:

  • Sourced globally for use in flavor, fragrance, and wellness applications
  • Includes citrus oils, spice oils, and herbal extracts

These products are used in a wide variety of applications including soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, dairy, savory snacks, soups, sauces, and wellness products.

Specialization and USP

Gerald McDonald’s unique strengths include:

• Vertical integration in juice processing, blending, and packaging
• Tailored formulations based on customer flavor profiles and applications
• Sustainable sourcing network with global traceability from farm to factory
• State-of-the-art blending facilities with stringent quality control systems

The company's in-house technical and regulatory teams support custom product development and compliance with international food laws.

Financial and Market Presence

Gerald McDonald serves clients in over 60 countries and maintains a dominant presence in the UK and European food ingredient markets. While financial figures are privately held, the company’s longevity and operational footprint indicate a strong and consistent business model with:

• Over 50,000 metric tons of juice and concentrate handled annually
• Thousands of spice and herb SKUs in circulation across global markets
• Continuous reinvestment in processing, R&D, and sustainability

The company’s customer portfolio includes multinational food and beverage brands, as well as private label manufacturers and regional food producers.

Shipment and Export Data

• Main export regions: EU, Middle East, Southeast Asia, North Africa
• Transport formats: Tankers, drums, bag-in-box, and food-grade IBCs
• Export volumes: High-volume shipment of juice bases and essential oils to beverage and flavor houses

Their logistic infrastructure ensures cold chain integrity for perishable ingredients and responsive supply to manufacturing hubs.

Target Market

Gerald McDonald serves:

• Beverage manufacturers (juices, sodas, energy drinks)
• Dairy product producers (yogurts, desserts, ice creams)
• Flavor and fragrance houses
• Foodservice and catering supply firms
• Snack food and savory product brands
• Health and wellness product developers

Their scalable offerings cater to high-volume processors and niche formulators alike.

Manufacturing and Operational Capabilities

The company operates from a modern blending and distribution facility in Basildon, equipped with:

• Automated blending and filtration lines
• Cold storage and refrigerated logistics
• Laboratory and R&D testing zones
• In-house flavor and spice development unit

Their advanced facility ensures consistent quality, speed of production, and the flexibility to meet varied client demands.

Certifications and Compliance

Gerald McDonald maintains industry-leading certifications including:

• BRCGS (British Retail Consortium Global Standard)
• ISO 9001 Quality Management
• ISO 22000 Food Safety Management
• Organic certifications for multiple markets
• Kosher and Halal compliance for select products

They also ensure full compliance with REACH, EU food additive regulations, and FDA requirements for exports to the US.

Customer Testimonials and Industry Perception

Gerald McDonald is widely recognized for:

• High-quality natural ingredients
• Technical knowledge and customer support
• On-time delivery and responsive customer service

The company is a preferred partner for R&D teams and procurement officers seeking reliable ingredient sources for new product development.

Achievements and Recognition

• Over 100 years of continuous operation in the global food ingredient sector
• Recognized contributor to the UK Fruit Juice Association
• Developed proprietary juice and spice formulations for multinational FMCG brands
• Pioneer in the UK for introducing exotic juice concentrates and essential oils into mainstream food production

Gerald McDonald & Company Limited stands as a pillar of quality and innovation in the food and beverage ingredient industry. Their expertise, global reach, and commitment to sustainability continue to support food manufacturers in delivering products consumers trust and enjoy worldwide.