Award Winning Northern Ireland Farm Food Producer Expands
Broglasco Farm, home of Northern Ireland’s award-winning Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, has recently diversified in growing and processing carrots.
The farm, which is owned by husband and wife team Richard and Leona Kane and is located near Limavady in County Londonderry, has bought a local carrot planting and processing machinery outfit, which was based in County Londonderry. The landscape of Magilligan and the Roe Valleyis widely recognised as one of the best for growing carrots in Northern Ireland.
Leona Kane, who runs the highly successful cold pressedBroighter Gold Rapeseed Oil, explains “If we were passing the farm, we would always have called in and bought some carrots and vegetables on our way past, and we just thought they are the best carrots around. They’ve always been very tasty and have a great colour, both of which are the result of the great soil in which they are grown.
“We reckoned with carrots having so many health benefits that it would fit in well with our rapeseed oil business, which is full of Omega 3, 6 and 9, and also another locally product. We subsequently acquired the plant and machinery as part of the investment and are committed to continue the development of the business as a producer of quality carrots,” she adds.
Broglasco Farm will be planting around 20 acres this year of carrots. Fergus Cooke who has 30 years of experience growing and harvesting carrots has joined our team here at the farm. We will learn a lot from all his knowledge in the field!
Mrs Kane continues: “We have handpicked five varieties of carrots, two of which are popular bulking varieties, and three for shoppers based on taste, colour and other consumer preferences. Our aim is to develop products which will offer consumers something deliciously different and in line with market requirements.
“The main carrots were the standard Eskimo and Nairobi varieties and these will continue. Three more varieties are being introduced.” adds Mrs Kane.
Broglasco intends to sell the carrots to vegetable distributors in Northern Ireland to process and market them. The farm, in addition, plans to wash, pack and bag carrots on-site for local sale.
“We have other ideas for the carrots and we will develop these as the business grows. For instance, distributors of our rapeseed oils have expressed an interest in selling carrots, rather than having to depend on carrots from Spain and Israel.”
The first carrot harvest is expected in July – depending on the weather. The 700- acre arable farm already grows oilseed, wheat, and barley along with some spring crops.
Broighter Gold Rapeseed Oil was launched in 2011 using around 120 acres on the farm and has proved to be among the most successful culinary oils in the UK, winning a string of UK Great Taste, Blas na hEireann awards for quality and outstanding taste. The 11-strong range of cold pressed oilshave become the preferred choice of top chefs in the UK and Ireland.
The family run business also sells its Liquid Gold rapeseed oils in Great Britain, the Republic of Ireland, France and the United Arab Emirates.
Mrs Kane adds: “While it’s an immensely challenging time especially, our retail outlets that are still open is continuing to grow. Foodservice, of course, has largely stopped, some are now operating a take away service. However, social media and online orders are growing strongly.”
