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For more than 30 years, Surya Foods( Surya) has passionately brought authentic flavors from around the world to consumers across the UK. Founded in 1989, the family-owned business has evolved into one of the country’ s leading brand food companies, specializing in the sourcing, manufacturing, importing, and distribution of high-quality world foods. With its flagship rice brand, Laila, holding the position as the UK’ s number one dried rice brand, Surya’ s portfolio is built around 17 proprietary brands- spanning cuisines from South Asia, East Asia, the Caribbean, Africa, the Mediterranean, and beyond.
From humble beginnings, with the acquisition of a small rice mill in Birmingham, the business was founded by Kewal Dulai who came to Britain from India in 1967; however, it was the addition of Kewal’ s sons, Harry and Suki, to the workforce – who now head up the Harwich-based business – that resulted in rapid growth. As a young student, Kewal arrived in the UK with just £ 3.00 in his pocket and was among the pioneering migrants invited to the UK from India in the 1950s and 1960s to help regenerate post-war Britain.
Reflecting its continued expansion, the business has doubled in size over the past three years and earned a place among the UK’ s Top 150 Food & Drink Suppliers, cementing its position as a leader not only in world foods, but across the wider food industry. Today, Surya is achieving a 30 percent growth in revenue – testament to its continued innovation and gastronomical flair. Food Chain sits down with
▲ Staff at Harwich head office in front of Laila truck branding 170