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Surya Foods enters UK top 150 food & drink suppliers as it announces major expansion plans

Harwich-based Surya Foods has entered a competitive chart which tracks the country’s 150 biggest food and drink manufacturers.
The world foods leader has made position 116 in the OC&C Top 150 Suppliers 2024 charts. The annual survey, produced by FMCG strategy consultants OC&C, ranks the UK’s biggest food and drink manufacturers and is topped by global brands including Coca-Cola, Associated British Foods, Nestle and Unilever. The highly anticipated chart is featured every year in the leading food industry trade magazine The Grocer. It follows exceptional growth by the local firm which now supplies almost half of the UK’s branded dry rice supply. It comes as the food giant announces significant expansion plans, with recent upgrades at its Harwich site and plans to bring 200 additional new jobs to the area, over the next three years.
The company, which achieved an impressive 30% increase in revenue last year, is also on course to open a brand new custom-built, 40 acre head office/distribution centre, with 250,000 sq ft of storage facilities in 2026. By 2027, it aims to devote its Harwich site exclusively to manufacturing.
Surya Foods is one of the largest suppliers of world foods to the UK food sector. Its wide-ranging catalogue has seen it become one of the biggest suppliers of international foods into supermarket giants Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, with extensive independent retail accounts across the UK.
Surya Food’s rice brands, including Laila, Salaam and Mai Thai (all featured in the UK Top 10 branded dry rice chart) account for almost half (44%) of the UK’s branded dry rice market. 1
With over three decades of expertise in the world food sector, Surya's evolving ranges span South Asian, Korean, Chinese, Thai, West African, Caribbean, African, South American, Mediterranean and Polish cuisines. Its catalogue features more than 2,000 products and Surya represents over 50 agency lines from some of the world’s leading companies.
Many of Surya’s house brands are market leaders, including Laila, the UK’s No. 1 dry rice brand; Mai Thai, the UK’s top selling jasmine rice and Thai Dragon, the UK’s favourite sriracha sauce brand.
Surya Foods continues to innovate in the world food sector too, recently launching a traditional Greek mezze range, Trophi, as well as the Japanese brand Akira – a range of popular Japanese classics including mains, sides, snacks and store cupboard staples, spanning gyoza, yakitori, bao buns, sushi kits, ramen bowls, bubble teas, bone broths and seasonings. It is also behind the recently launched Korean brand Sun Hee which puts classic Korean ingredients at the fingertips of passionate UK home cooks. The Indo-Chinese brand Khao Chi is its latest launch, featuring frozen lines of momos, spring rolls and Manchurian chicken. Speaking about the news Harry Dulai, Group Chief Executive Officer of Surya Foods said: “We are incredibly excited to have been recognised in the UK’s top 150 suppliers, sitting alongside global household names. It is testament to a lot of hard work and a reflection of our commitment to create a portfolio of brands, recognised the world over.
“The UK’s love of international food is stronger than ever. We are especially seeing a shift in how younger generations are interacting with continental cuisines as social media broadens their horizons. Consumers now want to explore authentic, bold flavours from around the world, from the comfort of their homes. We only expect these trends to accelerate further and are committed to staying ahead of the curve. We are currently focused on developing new products to meet changing consumer demands and expanding shelf presence in both local and international markets.” He added: “Investment in the site, our team, and our products reflects our commitment to become a brand with a global presence.” Current open positions with the rapidly expanding company include Business Development Managers, Buyers, Territory Sales Representatives, Accounts Professionals, Production Operatives, Logistics Managers, Drivers and Administrative Roles, among other opportunities. The company is keen to hear from prospective employees who have the skills and talent to help drive its ambitious expansion plans. For more information or to learn about job opportunities, please contact naomi.ullyett@suryafoods.com or visit www.suryafoods.com.
References
1 Nielsen Dried Rice Report Nov 2021 until April 20th 2024

2 OC&C Top 150 UK Food & Drink Suppliers, Rankings & Report 2024. (featured in The Grocer)

3 Nielson IQ: Scantrack; Grocery multiples; market share; total coverage; table sauces and condiments. Week ending 24th September 2022. Thai Dragon has a 37% share of sriracha hot sauce market with over twice the market share of its closest competitor.
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