Growing interest in healthier diets containing more fruit and vegetables and increased production of non-food crops for biofuels, means demand for agrochemicals is likely to increase, says Agrovista’s managing director James Robertson.

Speaking at the opening of the firm’s new distribution centre in Maidstone, Kent, Mr Robertson said the firm had confidence in all parts of its business and in UK agriculture.

The six-figure investment in the centre, which quadrupled the firm’s capacity in the south east of England, will service its expanding business in the region, as well as acting as the centre for its newly launched fruit agronomy business.

“This is one of the biggest investments this industry has seen for nearly ten years,” Mr Robertson said. “It is part of our five year strategy to become a £100m business.

“Agrochemical prices have been edging up over the past few years, and while the market won’t race ahead, we expect it to rise slightly and we want to be a part of that.”