Freeworld Trading

What Freeworld Trading does

Freeworld Trading Ltd. is a privately-held, family-owned UK B2B supplier of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Edinburgh. The company operates as a non-investor-backed trader/importer, distributing approximately 30 SKUs across three product categories — dried fruit (apples, apricots, raisins, sultanas, cranberries, dates, figs, prunes, etc.), nuts (almonds, cashews, Brazil nuts, hazelnuts, walnuts, pecans, macadamia, peanuts), and seeds (chia, quinoa, pumpkin, sunflower, sesame, linseed, poppy, millet, pine nuts) — sourced from origins including Vietnam, India, Bolivia, Turkey, Chile, China, USA, and West Africa.

Its core operating technology is the Positive Release System (PRS), a quality control inspection protocol established in Vietnam in 2012 under Tony Nguyen that evaluates every container of cashews before shipment, with cartons stamped PRS for traceability. The company holds BRCGS Grade AA, Ecocert organic, Ecovadis Platinum, Fair For Life, SMETA, and NDFTA certifications — a credential stack that qualifies it to supply large EU industrial food manufacturers and retail packers. It runs the Shared Futures programme, establishing Fair For Life certified partnerships with farming communities in Bolivia, Vietnam, and Turkey to support origin-locked, traceable supply aligned with UN SDGs.

Freeworld's revenue model is B2B bulk commodity trading: importing container-load volumes and selling to industrial brands, wholesalers, and retail packers through direct sales with product-specialist traders. Pricing follows commodity markets and is quote-based on inquiry. The company maintains €12M+ stock in Europe via facilities in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Hamburg (Germany), combined with its Edinburgh UK HQ and a Malaga, Spain regional EU office (Freeworld EU S.L.), enabling just-in-time delivery across the UK and mainland EU. The company employs 11-50 staff, with a multi-lingual team covering 12+ languages.

Name

Freeworld Trading

Legal name

Freeworld Trading Ltd.

Website

https://freeworld-trading.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Freeworld Trading is a UK-based family-owned B2B trader of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, founded in 1991. It supplies industrial food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retail packers across the UK and EU from Edinburgh HQ, an EU office in Malaga, and stockholding facilities in Rotterdam and Hamburg.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Bulk Dried Fruit, Nuts & Seeds Trading

NAICS

General Line Grocery Merchant Wholesalers (42441)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140)

akta.pro primary industry

Import/Export & Cross-Border Food Commodity Trading (AFAIAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Organic & Natural Foods Import/Export & Global Trading (AFAIAJAK)

Keywords

• Bulk dried fruit trading
• Nuts and seeds distribution
• B2B food ingredient supply
• Organic commodity sourcing
• Contract growing food ingredients

Headquarters

HQ city

Edinburgh

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Bulk Commodity Trading: Import and distribution of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds in bulk quantities to industrial brands, wholesalers, and retail packers. Revenue generated through product sales with pricing based on commodity markets and volume.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Freeworld Trading is a B2B trader and distributor of dried fruits, nuts, and seeds, sourcing globally from origins including Vietnam, India, China, Turkey, Bolivia, Chile, Kenya, and the USA, and supplying in bulk to industrial food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retail packers across the UK and EU. Operations are anchored by BRCGS Grade AA and organic certifications, a proprietary Positive Release System quality-control program for cashews in Vietnam, contract growing capabilities tailored to customer specifications, and approximately €12 million+ of stock maintained in Edinburgh, Rotterdam, and Hamburg for just-in-time delivery.

Product overview

Freeworld Trading is a BRCGS and organic certified trader and distributor of dried fruit, nuts, and seeds, established in 1991. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products organized into three main categories: Dried Fruit (including apples, apricots, blueberries, cherries, cranberries, currants, dates, figs, ginger, goji berries, prunes, raisins, and sultanas), Nuts (almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia, peanuts, pecans, and walnuts), and Seeds (chia, linseed/flax, millet, pine nuts, poppy, pumpkin, quinoa, sesame, and sunflower). The company operates a quality-focused model with a Positive Release System (PRS) for cashews in Vietnam, maintains stockholdings in Edinburgh, Rotterdam, and Hamburg, and runs a Shared Futures Program that creates fully traceable, sustainable partnerships with farming communities aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Through its EU office in Malaga, Spain, it provides just-in-time deliveries to European clients ranging from industrial brands to wholesalers and retail packers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Dried Apple Dried apple rings imported from China, harvested in October from Shanxi, Shaanxi and Shandong provinces, with an annual regional crop averaging 5,000 tons. Sold in bulk to industrial food manufacturers, wholesalers, and retail packers.
• Dried Apricots Dried apricots grown mostly in Turkey's Malatya region, harvested late September to early October, with annual crops typically between 120,000 and 150,000 tons. Bulk dried apricots supplied to UK and EU food industry buyers.
• Dried Blueberries Cultivated Highbush blueberries from several North American regions, harvested April through August, available dried, concentrated, or frozen for food-industry buyers.
• Dried Cherries Tart Montmorency cherries (USA) sugar-infused and frozen for at least one month, with average crop of 100,000–140,000 tons. Sold for food-manufacturing applications including baking and inclusions.
• Dried Cranberries Cranberries grown in bogs and harvested in September (northern hemisphere) or March (southern hemisphere), supplied as sweetened dried cranberries or apple-juice-infused dried cranberries for retail packers and food manufacturers.
• Currants Tiny Greek dried grapes (currants) with high nutritional profile, cultivated in Southern Greece, supplied in bulk for baking and ingredient applications.
• Dried Dates Pakistan-origin Aseel dates offered as pitted, whole GAQ size, origin 8–10mm diced, plus macerated and diced processed specs. Bulk ingredient supply for retailers and manufacturers.
• Dried Figs Figs grown in Turkey's Aegean Region, with an average crop around 205,000 tons harvested late September to early October. Bulk dried figs for UK and EU food manufacturers and retailers.
• Dried Ginger Chinese-origin ginger averaging 1,000,000 tons grown annually, harvested in August from Shandong, Fujian, and Guangxi provinces. Available as organic, candied, crystallised, drained, and in-syrup formats for food-industry buyers.
• Goji Berries Goji berries sourced from Chinese partners in Hongsipu, Ningxia, and Nuomuhong Qinghai, with multiple testing stages through production and on arrival to ensure safety. Supplied as bulk ingredient for food manufacturers and packers.
• Raisins Raisins sourced from Chile, South Africa, and Turkey. Chilean normal average crop is about 65,000 tons, harvested January–February with exports starting March–April. Bulk dried raisins for baking, cereal, and snack applications.
• Sultanas Sultanas mainly sourced from Turkey and dipped in a mild potassium carbonate solution to thin the skin for faster drying (about 10 days quicker than normal raisins), producing a lighter coloured fruit supplied to UK and EU food manufacturers.
• Prunes Prunes imported from Chile (conventional) and Moldova (organic certified). Chilean D'Agen prunes grow mainly in Valparaiso, Santiago, and O'Higgins regions. Bulk prunes for inclusion in cereals, baked goods, and snacking products.
• Almonds Almonds sourced primarily from California (USA), Chile, Australia, and Spain. California's 1.1 million acres of almond farms are 90% family-owned. Supplied in bulk to food manufacturers and packers through the Harris Woolf partnership within the Shared Futures programme.
• Brazil Nuts Brazil nuts collected deep in the Bolivian Amazon. The nuts develop inside large pods and represent a sustainable future for the rainforest, protecting millions of hectares. Sourced from Fair For Life-certified collecting communities under the Shared Futures programme.
• Cashews One of the largest cashew importers in Europe, with a quality control team based in Vietnam operating the proprietary Positive Release System (PRS) established in 2012 — every container is inspected before loading and cartons stamped with the PRS logo.
• Hazelnuts Hazelnuts sourced primarily from Turkey (Black Sea region accounts for ~70% of world production with average crop yield of 350Kmt of kernels) and the USA. Popular for confectionery applications including pralines and Nutella. Sourced under the Happy Hazelnut Project in Turkey addressing seasonal worker welfare and child-labour prevention.
• Macadamia Nuts Kenyan Fair For Life macadamias grown using sustainable farming practices meeting rigorous social and environmental standards. Native to Australia; also grown in South Africa, Kenya, USA, Guatemala, and Malawi. Bulk macadamias for food manufacturers and retail packers.
• Peanuts Peanuts supplied in forms suitable for snacks, spreads, and baked goods applications. Cost-effective ingredient offered to retailers and packers with competitive pricing.
• Pecan Nuts Pecans native to North and Central America, commonly grown in southern USA and Mexico. US crop varies from 100,000 to 150,000MT. A source of manganese, protein, and unsaturated fats; bulk pecans for baking and snack applications.
• Walnuts Walnuts sourced mainly from California, India, Chile, and Eastern Europe. Available in grades including Light Halves and Light Pieces for packaging and mixing. Bulk walnuts supplied to UK and European food manufacturers and packers.
• Chia Seeds Chia seeds from Canada, small black or white seeds native to Mexico and Guatemala, packed with fibre, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, and vitamins. Bulk chia seed supply for food manufacturers.
• Linseed / Flax Linseed/Flax in yellow or brown colour, sourced from India, China, EU, UK, and Canada. High in omega-3 fatty acids, used as a nutritional supplement and in wood-finishing products. Bulk seed supply for food manufacturers and industrial buyers.
• Millet USA-origin yellow millet, an excellent natural source of potassium, widely visible in bread and baking mixes. Bulk millet for food manufacturers.
• Pine Nuts Edible seeds of pines used for pesto, salads, breads, meat, fish, and vegetable dishes. Mostly sourced from China, with Pinus Sibirica and Pinus Koraiensis being the most commonly traded varieties. Bulk pine nut ingredient supply.
• Poppy Seeds Widely grown seed (byproduct of morphine production). Most-popular bakery-grade poppy comes from the Czech Republic. Available as blue, white, and grey, with steam sterilisation available. Bulk poppy seed supply for bakeries and food manufacturers.
• Pumpkin Seeds Pumpkin seeds available as GWS (Grown without shell) and hulled shineskin varieties. China is the main producer of GWS for export; AA grade refers to uniform size and colour. Bulk pumpkin seed supply to food manufacturers.
• Quinoa Versatile, nutritious grain-like seed cultivated for thousands of years in the Andean region of South America and a staple food of the Inca Empire. Gluten-free, high in protein, fibre, and essential amino acids. Bulk quinoa for food manufacturers and packers.
• Sesame Seeds Widely cultivated in the Far East, with China and Korea relying on imports from Africa, India, and Myanmar. Available as natural (with protective skin) or hulled (whiter, skin removed). Bulk sesame seed supply for bakery and food manufacturers.
• Sunflower Seeds Hulled sunflower kernels distributed for bakery grade (from Bulgaria) and confectionery grade (from China). Bakery grade is smaller in size, rounder in shape, darker in colour, and higher in oil content. Bulk sunflower kernels for food manufacturers.
• Shared Futures Programme (Sustainable Sourcing Programme) Fully traceable, partnership-based sourcing programme with farming communities committed to environmental sustainability and social impact, aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals. Includes named community projects such as Thuan Loi (Vietnam organic cashews), Villa Rosario / Girado / San Antonio / El Chorro / Monte Carlos / Chacobo-Pacahuara (Bolivia Brazil nuts), and the Happy Hazelnut Project (Turkey) addressing seasonal worker welfare and child-labour prevention.
• EU Bulk Distribution & Stockholding Service Bulk stockholding and just-in-time delivery service for mainland European food-industry clients, operated through the EU subsidiary Freeworld EU S.L. (Spain) and warehouses in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and Hamburg (Germany), with in-house customs clearance.

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Thuan Loi Community (Vietnam)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair For Life certified organic cashew farming community in Vietnam. Part of the Shared Futures programme providing traceable, sustainable partnerships with farming communities committed to environmental sustainability and social impact aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• Villa Rosario, Girado & San Antonio Community (Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazil nut collecting communities in Bolivia, Fair For Life certified. First Brazil nut area to achieve FFL certification with support for collection methods and social fund enhancement.
• Monte Carlos Community (Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic Brazil nut collecting community in Pando region, Bolivia. Freeworld purchases all 160MT of organic Brazil nuts from this area. Funded installation of electrical generator and solar panels for the community.
• Chacobo-Pacahuara Community (Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndigenous Chakobo-Pacahuara people in the Bolivian Amazon. Shared Future project for school refurbishment and clean water access (SDGs 4 & 6). Plans to plant over 100,000 trees and regenerate the area.
• Happy Hazelnut Project (Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGround-breaking project in Turkey providing education, accommodation and community projects for seasonal migrant workers and farmers in hazelnut harvesting regions. Funded by small premium on sales, promoting sustainable agriculture and preventing child labour.
• Harris Woolf (Almonds)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlmond supplier as part of Shared Futures programme, committed to environmental sustainability and social impact aligned with UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• El Chorro Community (Bolivia)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFair For Life certified Brazil nut collecting community. Freeworld has supported development of infrastructure, enabling efficient collection, increased production, and improved living conditions. Funds allocated to medical supplies, working equipment, construction, and infrastructure.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves2 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Blue Diamond Growers: Almond grower cooperative and global ingredient supplier with both branded retail and bulk B2B ingredient operations. Directly comparable in tree-nut sourcing scale, California origin expertise, and industrial customer focus.
• Wonderful Pistachios & Almonds: Vertically integrated grower and global supplier of pistachios and almonds with strong retail and ingredient businesses. Comparable in tree-nut origination, branded and bulk channels, and European distribution reach.
• John B. Sanfilippo & Son: US-based processor and supplier of nuts and dried fruits, including private label and industrial ingredient packs. Comparable business model of supplying bulk tree nuts and dried fruit to industrial food manufacturers.
• Sun-Maid Growers of California: US-headquartered cooperative specializing in raisins and dried fruits, supplying industrial and retail customers globally. Comparable in dried-fruit category focus and origin-anchored sourcing, though more retail-branded than Freeworld.
• Tradin Organic: Amsterdam-based global trader of organic and specialty food ingredients including dried fruits, nuts, seeds, and cocoa. Directly comparable B2B organic commodity trading model serving industrial food manufacturers and retailers across Europe.
• Sunsweet Growers: Cooperative specializing in prunes and dried fruit products, selling both branded retail and bulk B2B ingredients. Directly comparable in dried fruit category expertise and B2B supply to European food manufacturers.

Broad incumbents

• Bunge Limited: Global agribusiness and food ingredients company with operations in oilseeds, grains, and specialty ingredients. A relevant incumbent comparator for commodity origination, scale economics, and serving industrial B2B customers.
• Louis Dreyfus Company: Global merchant and processor of agricultural commodities including edible nuts and specialty ingredients. Comparable as a broad incumbent commodity trader serving industrial food customers, though operating at much larger scale and across many more categories.
• Olam Food Ingredients (ofi): Global food and agri-business with a dedicated ingredients platform spanning cocoa, coffee, dairy, nuts, and spices. Overlaps with Freeworld on nuts and dried fruit sourcing for industrial customers, but operates at significantly larger scale across many categories.
• Cargill: One of the largest global agricultural commodity traders and food ingredient suppliers, with cocoa, grain, and specialty ingredient platforms that intersect with Freeworld's customer base of industrial food manufacturers in Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/DrFreeworld/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/FWTEdinburgh
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/freeworld-trading-ltd
• Xx.com/fwt_edinburgh

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Freeworld Trading