RFI now aims to expand its ingredients import/export business globally, said md Charles Woolley. "We set a modest target of £5M for the year and have exceeded that already. We are looking for the next three to four years at doubling turnover year-on-year," he said.

The Manchester-based firm, which was set up in 2008, is a sister business to Rectory Foods, which also trades in poultry, red meat and vegetables. "Our ingredients division should quite far outsell poultry, as the volumes we are dealing with are considerably larger," added Woolley.

"Our principle markets are China, Thailand and the Phillipines. We have invested in equipment in the Far East to develop a new range of products for global markets. We're making approaches to Germany and the Baltic States."

The company is also exploring possibilities in eastern Europe, but Woolley said the market was a challenging one. "They have a different view of capitalism to us."

The UK, where Rectory Foods is based, is also proving tough because of stiff competition, despite being a core target market, noted Woolley. "Most demand is coming from commodity products such as dried onion."

Green and red peppers, cauliflower, broccoli and sweetcorn, frozen fruit and coconut milk are also proving popular, he added.

Ideally RFI wants to woo blue-chip branded food manufacturers as well as own-label processors, said Woolley. "Cauliflower and broccoli would sit well in a Tesco ready meal."