About Whitworths
Whitworths: Britain's Dried Fruit and Nut Experts Since 1886 Whitworths has supplied British kitchens with quality dried fruits, nuts, and baking ingredients for well over a century. From Christmas cakes to everyday snacking, this Northamptonshire company remains the UK's leading supplier in its category. At Grocefully, we help you compare Whitworths prices across UK supermarkets to find the best deals on these pantry essentials. Three Brothers and a Business The Whitworths story begins in 1886 in Irthlingborough, Northamptonshire. Three brothers – John, Herbert, and Newton Whitworth – established Whitworth Bros., laying foundations for what would become Britain's largest dried fruit and nut supplier. The brothers understood that quality dried fruits required expertise in sourcing, handling, and storage. Victorian Britain's growing middle class demanded these imported ingredients for puddings, cakes, and preserves. The Whitworth brothers built their reputation on consistently meeting this demand. From that Northamptonshire base, the company grew steadily through the twentieth century. The business survived two world wars, adapted to changing consumer tastes, and maintained its position as dried fruit specialists whilst competitors came and went. It's worth noting that Whitworths the dried fruit company is distinct from another nearby business called Whitworth Bros. that produces flour. Despite similar names and geographic proximity, these are separate companies with different histories. Royal Recognition Quality standards attracted royal attention. In 1971, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother awarded Whitworths a Royal Warrant, acknowledging the company's role as a supplier of quality goods. In 1974, Queen Elizabeth II granted a second Royal Warrant. These warrants represented more than ceremonial honour – they confirmed Whitworths' reputation for consistent quality at the highest levels. Royal Warrants require maintaining standards, with potential withdrawal if quality declines. For over a century, Whitworths built its brand on this foundation of quality and reliability. British home bakers came to trust the name for their Christmas puddings, fruit cakes, and everyday baking needs. Modern Ownership Changes The twenty-first century brought ownership transitions typical of successful British brands. In September 2013, private equity firm Equistone purchased Whitworths for approximately £90 million. Private equity ownership brought investment and business discipline, positioning the company for further development. By April 2017, Equistone put Whitworths up for sale, seeking to realise returns on their investment. The search for a buyer concluded in May 2017 when Anatolia, a Turkish producer of dried fruit, acquired the company. The Anatolia acquisition made particular sense given existing relationships. Whitworths and Anatolia had traded together for 38 years – Anatolia supplied significant volumes of Turkish-grown dried fruits to Whitworths. The merger created one of Europe's largest dried fruit, nut, and seed businesses, combining Turkish production expertise with British distribution and brand recognition. CEO Mark Fairweather raised capital to take a 10% share in the new structure, ensuring management alignment with company success. This ownership model combined Turkish agricultural strength with British market knowledge. The UK's Leading Supplier Modern Whitworths claims leadership in its category with compelling scale. The company produced over 40 million kg of product in 2020 alone, supplying both branded products and own-label ranges for major supermarkets. This dual business model – branded Whitworths products alongside supermarket own-brand manufacturing – provides scale economies and market coverage. Many consumers buy Whitworths without knowing it, through own-label products actually produced by the company. From the Irthlingborough headquarters, Whitworths manages complex supply chains spanning multiple continents. Turkish sultanas, Chilean raisins, Californian almonds, and numerous other products converge for processing and distribution throughout the UK. Understanding the Product Range Whitworths offers comprehensive coverage of dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and baking ingredients. Dried Fruits Mixed Fruit remains a baking essential – sultanas, raisins, currants, and mixed citrus peel combined for fruit cakes and Christmas puddings. This traditional product connects modern bakers with generations of British home baking. Individual dried fruits allow customisation. Sultanas from Turkey's Gediz Valley vineyards provide natural sweetness for cereals, baking, and snacking. Chilean Flame Raisins, sourced from mountain vineyards, offer distinctive character. Apricots deliver heart-healthy potassium, with Whitworths noting the scientific evidence for blood pressure benefits. Figs provide manganese, arriving stemless, sweet, and ready to eat. Dates come stoned and chopped for immediate use in baking or snacking. Prunes, cranberries, and various other dried fruits extend the range, addressing different recipes and nutritional requirements. Nuts and Seeds Almonds appear in multiple formats. Ground almonds – made from premium Californian nuts – suit baking applications requiring almond meal. Flaked almonds provide texture for decorating cakes and adding crunch to recipes. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and mixed nut selections address various culinary and snacking needs. Seeds including pumpkin, sunflower, and mixed selections provide nutritional density for health-conscious consumers. Baking Ingredients Beyond dried fruits and nuts, Whitworths supplies baking essentials. Crystallised Fiery Ginger arrives chopped and ready to use, adding distinctive kick to cakes and biscuits. Glacé cherries provide colour and sweetness for traditional baking. These specialist ingredients might see limited use in average households but prove essential for Christmas baking season and special occasion recipes. Snacking Products Modern Whitworths extends beyond baking ingredients to snacking formats. Sunny Raisins, marketed as counting towards five-a-day requirements, target lunchbox and on-the-go occasions. This snacking expansion reflects broader market trends away from pure home baking towards convenient healthy snacks. Whitworths' supply chain expertise translates across both categories. Nutritional Considerations Dried fruits and nuts offer genuine nutritional benefits that Whitworths highlights in its marketing. Dried Fruit Benefits Dried fruits concentrate nutrients found in fresh fruit. Fibre content supports digestive health. Natural sugars provide energy without added sugars, though caloric density exceeds fresh equivalents. Specific benefits vary by fruit type. Apricots deliver potassium supporting heart health. Prunes aid digestive function. Dates provide quick energy from natural sugars. The "counts as five-a-day" positioning for products like Sunny Raisins reflects genuine nutritional recognition, though portion sizes matter – dried fruit concentrates calories alongside nutrients. Nut and Seed Benefits Nuts provide healthy fats, protein, and various micronutrients. Almonds offer vitamin E and magnesium. Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids. Seeds add minerals often lacking in typical diets. Regular nut consumption associates with cardiovascular benefits in epidemiological studies. The protein and fat content provides satiety, potentially supporting weight management despite caloric density. Quality and Sourcing Whitworths emphasises sourcing expertise developed over more than a century. Global Supply Chains Dried fruits and nuts require global sourcing – British climate doesn't produce sultanas or almonds. Whitworths manages relationships with growers across Turkey, Chile, California, and numerous other regions. Turkish supply chain expertise strengthened through the Anatolia merger. Turkey produces substantial volumes of dried fruits including sultanas, apricots, and figs. Direct ownership of Turkish supply provides quality control advantages. Chilean raisins from mountain vineyards and Californian almonds from specialist growers demonstrate geographic diversity in sourcing. This spread reduces risk from regional crop failures or quality issues. Quality Control Processing dried fruits requires expertise in storage, handling, and packaging. Moisture control prevents spoilage. Foreign material removal ensures purity. Consistent sizing and grading meets customer expectations. Whitworths' century-plus experience provides institutional knowledge difficult for new entrants to replicate. Quality systems developed over generations support the consistency that earned Royal Warrants. Where to Buy Whitworths in the UK Whitworths products enjoy extensive UK distribution. Major Supermarkets Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, and Morrisons stock Whitworths branded products across stores and online. Baking ingredient sections typically include Whitworths dried fruits and nuts. Seasonal visibility increases approaching Christmas when demand for baking ingredients peaks. Year-round availability varies by product and store format. Ocado Ocado provides comprehensive Whitworths availability for online shoppers. Products including Mixed Fruit, Apricots, and various nuts ship with standard grocery orders. Online shopping particularly suits stocking up on store-cupboard items like dried fruits and nuts that don't require freshness assessment. Wholesale and Foodservice Bestway Wholesale and similar channels supply smaller retailers, ensuring Whitworths reaches beyond major supermarket chains. Independent shops and food service operations access products through these routes. Using Whitworths Products Quality ingredients deserve proper application. Christmas Baking Christmas puddings, fruit cakes, and mince pies represent traditional Whitworths occasions. Mixed Fruit provides the foundation for these festive recipes, with additional ingredients like glacé cherries and crystallised ginger adding character. Soaking dried fruit in alcohol or fruit juice plumps texture and deepens flavour. Quality fruit absorbs liquid properly, whilst inferior products may remain hard or become mushy. Starting Christmas baking early allows flavours to develop. Traditional Christmas cakes mature over weeks, with dried fruit quality affecting final results. Everyday Baking Beyond Christmas, dried fruits enhance numerous baked goods. Flapjacks benefit from raisins or sultanas. Scones gain interest from dried cranberries. Cookies incorporate various dried fruits and nuts. Ground almonds provide moisture and richness in cakes, particularly useful in gluten-free baking where almond meal replaces some flour. Breakfast and Snacking Adding dried fruits and nuts to porridge, muesli, or yoghurt provides nutrition and flavour. The convenience of shelf-stable products suits busy mornings. Snacking on nuts and dried fruits directly provides portable nutrition, though caloric density warrants portion awareness. Comparing Prices Whitworths products vary in price across retailers, making comparison worthwhile. Branded vs Own-Label Supermarket own-label dried fruits often cost less than Whitworths branded equivalents. Given that Whitworths produces much own-label product, quality differences may be minimal. Comparing unit prices (cost per 100g) across branded and own-label options helps assess value. Larger pack sizes typically reduce per-unit costs. Seasonal Pricing Christmas season brings promotional activity on baking ingredients. Stocking up during November offers can provide savings for heavy bakers. Off-season purchasing may find reduced prices as retailers clear seasonal stock, though date-checking ensures adequate shelf life. The Wider Market Whitworths operates within a competitive market for dried fruits and nuts. Supermarket Own Brands Major supermarkets source significant volumes directly, bypassing branded suppliers for own-label ranges. This competition constrains pricing power for branded products. However, Whitworths' own-label manufacturing business means the company participates in this market segment too, not merely competing against it. Specialist Retailers Health food shops, wholefood stores, and online specialists offer alternative dried fruit and nut sources. These channels may provide bulk purchasing, unusual varieties, or organic options beyond mainstream supermarket ranges. Imported Products Direct imports from producing countries provide another competitive source. Turkish shops selling sultanas, Middle Eastern grocers offering dates, and various ethnic food retailers provide alternatives to branded British suppliers. Sustainability Considerations Modern consumers increasingly consider environmental and social factors. Supply Chain Ethics Whitworths' long supplier relationships and direct Turkish ownership potentially support ethical sourcing practices. Understanding specific supply chain ethics requires investigating individual product sources. Agricultural Practices Dried fruit and nut production varies in environmental impact. Water usage, pesticide application, and land use practices differ by region and grower. Organic options address some environmental concerns at premium pricing. Packaging Dried fruits typically use plastic packaging for moisture protection. Recyclability varies by packaging type and local authority facilities. Conclusion From three brothers in Victorian Northamptonshire to Europe's largest dried fruit operation, Whitworths has maintained quality standards across dramatic business changes. Royal Warrants, Turkish partnership, and market leadership testify to sustained excellence. For British home bakers and health-conscious snackers, Whitworths provides trusted quality across dried fruits, nuts, and baking ingredients. The brand name on packaging represents over 130 years of expertise in these essential ingredients. Compare Whitworths prices across UK supermarkets through Grocefully and find the best deals on dried fruit, nuts, and baking essentials.