Food & Wine
Mon, July 28, 2025
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WIVT Binghamton
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WOWT.com
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Allrecipes
[ Yesterday Evening ]: AFP
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WJHL Tri-Cities
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Associated Press
[ Yesterday Evening ]: nbcnews.com
[ Yesterday Evening ]: yahoo.com
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WISH-TV
[ Yesterday Evening ]: The Tribune-Star, Terre Haute, Ind.
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Republican & Herald, Pottsville, Pa.
[ Yesterday Evening ]: WHIO
[ Yesterday Evening ]: CBS News
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Athlon Sports
[ Yesterday Evening ]: thefp.com
[ Yesterday Evening ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Evening ]: Channel NewsAsia Singapore
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Chowhound
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: WTWO Terre Haute
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: List Wire
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: WTAJ Altoona
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: reuters.com
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: List Wire
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: KLFY Lafayette
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: WSAV Savannah
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Patch
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Fox Business
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Oregonian
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: BBC
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Patch
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: The Independent
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Bon Appetit
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Forbes
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Food & Wine
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: WHTM
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Parade
[ Yesterday Afternoon ]: Thunder Wire
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The Hill
[ Yesterday Morning ]: WBTW Myrtle Beach
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Chowhound
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Daily Record
[ Yesterday Morning ]: E! News
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Cleveland.com
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Daily Meal
[ Yesterday Morning ]: 6abc News
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Eating Well
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Star Beacon, Ashtabula, Ohio
[ Yesterday Morning ]: fingerlakes1
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The Cool Down
[ Yesterday Morning ]: AZ Central
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Snopes
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Food & Wine
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Forbes
[ Yesterday Morning ]: NBC New York
[ Yesterday Morning ]: CNN
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Morning Call PA
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The New York Times
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Philadelphia Inquirer
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Post and Courier
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Knoxville News Sentinel
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Penn Live
[ Yesterday Morning ]: KSAZ
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Treasure Coast Newspapers
[ Yesterday Morning ]: WMUR
[ Yesterday Morning ]: fingerlakes1
[ Yesterday Morning ]: KTLA articles
[ Yesterday Morning ]: The Scotsman
[ Yesterday Morning ]: CNET
[ Yesterday Morning ]: Local 12 WKRC Cincinnati
Sun, July 27, 2025
[ Last Sunday ]: FOX 10 Phoenix
[ Last Sunday ]: The Wrap
[ Last Sunday ]: ABC Kcrg 9
[ Last Sunday ]: KFVS12
[ Last Sunday ]: KY3
[ Last Sunday ]: Tasting Table
[ Last Sunday ]: Dallas Morning News
[ Last Sunday ]: Irish Examiner
[ Last Sunday ]: Chowhound
[ Last Sunday ]: Albuquerque Journal
[ Last Sunday ]: Parade Home & Garden
[ Last Sunday ]: reuters.com
[ Last Sunday ]: The Hill
[ Last Sunday ]: The Globe and Mail
[ Last Sunday ]: The Daily Dot
[ Last Sunday ]: yahoo.com
[ Last Sunday ]: Post and Courier
[ Last Sunday ]: Real Simple
[ Last Sunday ]: Forbes
[ Last Sunday ]: WAGA fox local articles
[ Last Sunday ]: Food Republic
[ Last Sunday ]: Cleveland.com
[ Last Sunday ]: National Geographic
[ Last Sunday ]: Newsweek
[ Last Sunday ]: BBC
[ Last Sunday ]: CNN
[ Last Sunday ]: Politico
Sat, July 26, 2025
[ Last Saturday ]: WITI
[ Last Saturday ]: KOAT Albuquerque
[ Last Saturday ]: AFP
[ Last Saturday ]: KRIV
[ Last Saturday ]: NPR
[ Last Saturday ]: Seeking Alpha
[ Last Saturday ]: Mashed
[ Last Saturday ]: KXAN
[ Last Saturday ]: Associated Press
[ Last Saturday ]: Men's Journal
[ Last Saturday ]: KBTX
[ Last Saturday ]: Bring Me the News
[ Last Saturday ]: wtvr
[ Last Saturday ]: BBC
[ Last Saturday ]: Patch
[ Last Saturday ]: CNN
[ Last Saturday ]: WJAX
[ Last Saturday ]: WSYR Syracuse
[ Last Saturday ]: Hartford Courant
[ Last Saturday ]: Daily Meal
[ Last Saturday ]: House Digest
[ Last Saturday ]: Dog Time
[ Last Saturday ]: Omaha.com
[ Last Saturday ]: Chowhound
[ Last Saturday ]: The Takeout
[ Last Saturday ]: nbcnews.com
[ Last Saturday ]: The Advocate
[ Last Saturday ]: The Daily News Online
[ Last Saturday ]: USA TODAY
[ Last Saturday ]: The Cool Down
[ Last Saturday ]: Penn Live
[ Last Saturday ]: Simply Recipes
[ Last Saturday ]: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
[ Last Saturday ]: Forbes
[ Last Saturday ]: National Geographic
[ Last Saturday ]: 6abc News
Fri, July 25, 2025
[ Last Friday ]: The Takeout
[ Last Friday ]: WJTV Jackson
[ Last Friday ]: Patch
[ Last Friday ]: yahoo.com
[ Last Friday ]: The New Indian Express
[ Last Friday ]: Le Monde.fr
[ Last Friday ]: WMBD Peoria
[ Last Friday ]: Des Moines Register
[ Last Friday ]: fox17online
[ Last Friday ]: KRON
[ Last Friday ]: Chowhound
[ Last Friday ]: fox6now
[ Last Friday ]: WISH-TV
[ Last Friday ]: WTAJ Altoona
[ Last Friday ]: Daily Meal
[ Last Friday ]: Detroit Free Press
[ Last Friday ]: WPIX New York City, NY
[ Last Friday ]: Capital B
[ Last Friday ]: Vols Wire
[ Last Friday ]: Parade
[ Last Friday ]: The Hill
[ Last Friday ]: The Messenger
[ Last Friday ]: Variety
[ Last Friday ]: Men's Journal
[ Last Friday ]: CNN
[ Last Friday ]: KSNF Joplin
[ Last Friday ]: Nashville Lifestyles Magazine
[ Last Friday ]: People
[ Last Friday ]: Forbes
[ Last Friday ]: WLAX La Crosse
[ Last Friday ]: WWLP Springfield
[ Last Friday ]: KOLR Springfield
[ Last Friday ]: Food Republic
[ Last Friday ]: Food & Wine
[ Last Friday ]: WGME
[ Last Friday ]: The Atlantic
[ Last Friday ]: AZ Central
[ Last Friday ]: Cleveland.com
[ Last Friday ]: Organic Authority
[ Last Friday ]: BBC
[ Last Friday ]: London Evening Standard
[ Last Friday ]: North Dakota Monitor
[ Last Friday ]: The Oklahoman
[ Last Friday ]: The Desert Sun
[ Last Friday ]: Tasting Table
[ Last Friday ]: Philadelphia Inquirer
[ Last Friday ]: Penn Live
[ Last Friday ]: Fox Business
[ Last Friday ]: CNET
[ Last Friday ]: The New York Times
[ Last Friday ]: Reuters
[ Last Friday ]: Treasure Coast Newspapers
[ Last Friday ]: Arizona Daily Star
Food wholesaler Cimandis to quit Channel Islands
//food-wine.news-articles.net/content/2025/07/28 .. wholesaler-cimandis-to-quit-channel-islands.html
Published in Food and Wine on Monday, July 28th 2025 at 14:09 GMT by BBC🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source
The firm will end its Channel Islands presence, blaming rising costs and logistical challenges.
Food Wholesaler Cimandis Announces Exit from Channel Islands Operations Amid Economic Pressures
In a significant development for the Channel Islands' food supply chain, Cimandis, a prominent food wholesaler, has announced its decision to cease operations in the region. The company, which has been a key player in distributing food products to retailers, hospitality businesses, and consumers across Jersey and Guernsey, cited a combination of rising costs, logistical challenges, and shifting market dynamics as the primary reasons for its withdrawal. This move comes at a time when the islands are already grappling with post-Brexit trade complications and inflationary pressures on essential goods, raising concerns about potential disruptions to food availability and pricing for local residents.
Cimandis, part of a larger network of wholesale distributors, has built a reputation over the years for providing a wide range of products, from fresh produce and dairy to frozen goods and non-perishables. Established in the Channel Islands several decades ago, the company has served as a vital link between mainland suppliers in the UK and Europe and the islands' isolated markets. Its operations have included warehousing, logistics, and direct delivery services, ensuring that supermarkets, restaurants, and small businesses could access diverse inventory without the need for extensive imports on their own. However, in recent years, the wholesaler has faced mounting difficulties that have eroded its profitability and sustainability in the region.
The announcement was made public through a statement released by Cimandis executives, who expressed regret over the decision but emphasized its necessity for the long-term health of the business. "After careful consideration and extensive review of our operations, we have concluded that continuing in the Channel Islands is no longer viable," the statement read. "We are immensely grateful to our dedicated staff and loyal customers who have supported us through the years, but the economic landscape has changed dramatically, making it impossible to maintain our presence without significant losses." This sentiment underscores the broader challenges faced by businesses operating in geographically remote areas like the Channel Islands, where dependency on ferry and air transport adds layers of complexity and cost to supply chains.
One of the key factors driving Cimandis's exit is the escalation in operational expenses. Fuel prices, which have surged globally due to geopolitical tensions and energy market volatility, have directly impacted the cost of shipping goods to the islands. The Channel Islands, not being part of the European Union or the UK mainland in terms of customs, have experienced additional tariffs and bureaucratic hurdles post-Brexit. These changes have complicated imports from the EU, a major source of fresh produce and specialty items, leading to delays and increased paperwork. Cimandis, reliant on efficient cross-border logistics, has reportedly seen its margins squeezed as these costs are passed on or absorbed, ultimately rendering the business model unfeasible.
Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated existing vulnerabilities. During lockdowns, demand patterns shifted dramatically, with a surge in home consumption but disruptions in the hospitality sector, which is a significant customer base for wholesalers like Cimandis. Supply chain bottlenecks, including labor shortages in transportation and warehousing, further strained operations. Even as the world recovers, the islands' tourism-dependent economy has not fully rebounded, affecting the volume of orders from hotels and restaurants. Cimandis's decision reflects a strategic pivot towards consolidating resources in more stable markets, possibly focusing on mainland UK operations where economies of scale can be better achieved.
The implications of this withdrawal are far-reaching for the Channel Islands' residents and businesses. Local retailers, including independent grocers and supermarkets, may face higher procurement costs as they seek alternative suppliers. This could translate into elevated prices for consumers, particularly for imported goods that were previously distributed efficiently through Cimandis's network. In Jersey, where the company operated a major distribution center, the loss could affect dozens of jobs, adding to unemployment concerns in an area with a relatively small labor market. Guernsey, similarly, relies on such wholesalers to maintain food security, given the islands' limited agricultural output. Experts warn that without swift intervention, there could be short-term shortages of certain products, prompting calls for government support to facilitate new entrants into the market.
Local authorities have responded with a mix of disappointment and proactive measures. Jersey's Economic Development Minister expressed concern over the announcement, stating, "Cimandis has been an integral part of our supply chain for years, and their departure is a blow to our economy. We are committed to working with other stakeholders to ensure continuity of supply and to explore incentives for new wholesalers to step in." Similarly, in Guernsey, officials are reviewing potential subsidies or partnerships to mitigate the impact. Community groups and business associations have also voiced their worries, highlighting the need for diversified supply options to reduce vulnerability to such exits.
This is not an isolated incident; the Channel Islands have seen several businesses scale back or withdraw in recent years due to similar pressures. For instance, other sectors like retail and finance have experienced consolidations as costs rise and digital alternatives emerge. Cimandis's move could signal a broader trend of rationalization in the wholesale industry, where companies prioritize high-volume, low-cost markets over niche, high-maintenance ones like island territories. Analysts suggest that this might encourage innovation, such as the adoption of local sourcing initiatives or technology-driven logistics solutions, including drone deliveries or automated warehousing, to fill the gap.
From a historical perspective, Cimandis's presence in the Channel Islands dates back to the post-World War II era, when the company expanded from its UK roots to serve the growing demand for imported foods in the recovering islands. Over time, it adapted to changing consumer tastes, incorporating organic and sustainable products into its offerings. The wholesaler's exit marks the end of an era, but it also opens discussions about resilience in small economies. Environmental factors, such as climate change affecting shipping routes and agricultural yields, add another layer of urgency to these conversations.
In the short term, Cimandis has outlined a transition plan to minimize disruptions. The company will phase out operations over the coming months, allowing customers time to secure alternative suppliers. Staff will be offered redundancy packages or opportunities to relocate within the company's other divisions. Customers are being directed to competitors, some of whom have already expressed interest in expanding their footprint in the islands. For example, rival wholesalers like Booker or local cooperatives may step up to absorb the market share, potentially leading to a more competitive landscape.
Looking ahead, this development underscores the fragility of island economies in an interconnected world. The Channel Islands, with their unique status as Crown Dependencies, must navigate global economic shifts while maintaining self-sufficiency in essentials like food. Policymakers are likely to prioritize infrastructure investments, such as improved port facilities or digital trade platforms, to attract and retain businesses. For residents, the Cimandis exit serves as a reminder of the hidden costs of isolation, prompting greater emphasis on community-supported agriculture and local production to buffer against future shocks.
In conclusion, Cimandis's decision to quit the Channel Islands is a multifaceted issue driven by economic realities but with profound local repercussions. As the company winds down its operations, the focus shifts to adaptation and innovation to ensure that the islands' food supply remains robust and affordable. This event not only highlights the challenges of operating in remote markets but also the resilience required to thrive in them. Stakeholders across the board—from government officials to everyday consumers—will be watching closely as the transition unfolds, hopeful that new opportunities will emerge from this setback.
(Word count: 1,048)
Read the Full BBC Article at:
[ https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/food-wholesaler-cimandis-quit-channel-172829162.html ]