Duck processor goes under

THE UK‘S SECOND largest duck grower and processor went into administration on Monday (June 21).

Norfolk-based Manor Farm Ducklings had a 24% share of the market and was one of Europe‘s largest producers of Peking duck, which it supplied to wholesale and supermarket customers.

It bought day-old ducklings and arranged for 80,000 a week to be reared at third-party sites throughout the eastern region.

Sales were about £17m per year, but the company had suffered cash-flow problems for some time, according to Duncan Swift of administrator Grant Thornton.

He said the final nail in Manor Farm‘s coffin was the collapse of a German competitor that had depressed duck market prices.

“Manor Farms has an impressive list of customers and a good product range, we believe it will prove attractive to potential purchasers,” he added.