Major food producer taking South Africa by storm

Eskort is expanding beyond retail into the food service and hospitality sector, aiming to grow this segment to 30% of the company’s total revenue.

With a 108-year heritage, local antibiotic-free pork products, and 30 stores across South Africa, Eskort is one of the country’s biggest and most recognisable pork manufacturers.

The brand’s products are stocked throughout the country in major retailers such as Checkers, Pick n Pay, Shoprite and Spar.

The company also supplies South Africa’s hotels, restaurants, and catering/cafés sector, which distributes to tens of thousands of restaurants, hotels, catering, healthcare and educational facilities.

The sector’s largest supplier, Bidfood, and another major player, Econofoods, buy a wide range of Eskort products and supply these items to customers from their 20-plus distribution centres.

For Bidfood and Econofoods, there is a strong focus on the Eskort catering range that includes bacon, pork sausages, grillers, Russians, rib burgers and cold meats.

The company also offers hotels, restaurants and cafes pork products that cater for their breakfast, lunch and dinner menus –

• Breakfast: Bacon, grillers and pork sausages
• Lunch: The formed crumb range, including schnitzels, strips and frikkadels
• Dinner: Roasts, rashers, chops and value-added meat products

Eskort CEO Arnold Prinsloo explained that the hotels, restaurants, and catering/cafés sector currently accounts for only about 10% of the company’s revenue, but it has ambitious growth plans.

“There is an expansion opportunity beyond the catering range, especially with products such as pork fillets, pork mince and individually wrapped pork chops,” he said.

Eskort explained that individually wrapping chops is a value-added service that supports better hygiene and portion control.

“By capitalising on this and significantly increasing our share of the food service sector’s pork products, we hope to growour food service revenue to 30% of the total within two years,” Prinsloo added.

Outmuscling the competition

Food service businesses typically purchase enormous volumes but operate on low profit margins. With procurement teams determined to secure the best possible deals from suppliers, they have significant negotiating power.

In a highly competitive field, they are constantly on the lookout for ways to differentiate on price while maintaining quality, and this pressure gets passed on to suppliers.

“It’s not all about price,” Prinsloo said. “Quality and service are also key, and this is where Eskort is outmuscling its competitors.”

He explained that Eskort’s quality control starts on the farms of its suppliers, who are shareholders in the business.

“There is recognition of our focus on safe and ethical farming, which aligns with the industry’s increasing interest in sustainability and responsible production,” he said.

“Our farms are underpinned by world-class genetics, sow-friendly practices and a commitment to remaining antibiotic-free.”

He added that Eskort’s high pork safety and production standards are backed by a string of internationally recognised certifications covering our farms and production facilities.

“The company operates FSSC 22000 and HACCP-certified facilities and holds ZA and Pork 360 accreditations,” Prinsloo said.

Long-term partnerships are another key factor in Eskort’s growth strategy. Relationships with food service companies begin with the presentation of product samples for evaluation.

“All raw materials must meet strict product specifications before being approved by the client,” Prinsloo explained.

“Our key account team oversees customer interactions and performance measurements to ensure that strong, long-term partnerships are maintained.”

Feedback and complaints are logged in a digital system and addressed with expert input from Eskort’s quality control team.

“Our focus on consistent product quality and a reliable supply chain keeps complaints to a minimum, and when they do arise, they are resolved with rigour and urgency,” he said.

But there are opportunities, too. Prinsloo said that while Eskort does not focus on specific cuisines, it recognises that the food service sector is moving towards more solution-based offerings.

There is growing interest in aligning pork products with menu development, which Eskort is looking to adapt to.

“With the development of our retail convenience range, we have demonstrated our ability to respond to evolving consumer demands,” he said.

“We look forward to deepening our relationship with the food service and hospitality sector by working in partnership to satisfy their customers’ requirements.”