Greenyard Flowers UK, the world’s largest daffodil producer, has secured the highest UK fresh produce industry accolade as fresh produce business of the year.

The award was presented in front of an audience of over 500 people at the gala evening, hosted by British comedian, actor and broadcaster Hugh Dennis at the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel, London on Thursday, June 8.

The fresh produce business of the year award is given to the very best performing business among all the winners in the 2017 fresh awards categories of supply chain, retail and business excellence.

Nigel Jenney, chief executive of the Fresh Produce Consortium, said: “Greenyard Flowers UK is a paragon for our industry and a world leading floral supplier.

"We highly commend this forward thinking sustainable and efficient business which has transformed British daffodil production."

Earlier in the evening Greenyard Flowers UK proudly claimed the Floral Supplier of the Year 2017 award.

Over the past three years Greenyard Flowers UK has developed a specialist business, growing, picking and packing almost 500 million stems of daffodils, every one picked by hand.

Greenyard Flowers UK has achieved a 60 per cent multiple retailer market share in the UK, as well as building exports to mainland Europe and to the United States of America.

Investment is key for sales growth with the development of processing, storage facilities and bespoke equipment to improve handling and processing of cut and bulb daffodils.

Greenyard Flowers UK has transformed traditional British daffodil production by examining every detail of the supply chain to remove cost and introduce efficiencies, as well as introducing modern progressive agronomic techniques.

Innovation in varietal development, patented packing and packaging equipment delivers benefits for retailers by extending the season.

Greenyard Flowers UK is recognised as the world’s largest daffodil producer, as well as being the home of the national dahlia collection, with over 1,600 new and heritage varieties.

Managing director Alan Forrester, said: “I can't express enough my heartfelt thanks and congratulations to all employees, for being in a position to be recognised in this way by such a well-respected industry body.

"It is a credit to you all and the hard and tireless work you have undertaken at every level within the business”.