Food and ingredient categories we source and sell.

What we trade, in two forms

Union Trade works with food and ingredients in two forms: bulk ingredients bought on specification, and retail-ready brands bought on the category case. Most of our categories include both, and the work is different for each.

Bulk food ingredients: bought on specification

Raw and semi-processed materials sold to manufacturers, packers, bakers, foodservice operators and private-label programs. They ship in drums, totes, bulk bags, cartons and flexitanks, and they are judged on the specification sheet.

• What decides the deal: the specification, certificates of analysis, food safety certification, consistency from lot to lot and the landed cost.
• Who buys: food and beverage manufacturers, packers, co-manufacturers and ingredient distributors.
• What we do: find and qualify producers, compare offers, negotiate the contract, and coordinate samples, testing and freight with logistics partners.

More on ingredient and raw material sourcing.

Retail-ready brands: bought on the category case

Finished products, branded or private label, that go onto the shelf as they are. They are judged on what they add to a retailer's range and on how well the supplier will support them after the listing.

• What decides the deal: category fit, pack and label compliance for the market, trade terms, promotional plans and reliable supply.
• Who buys: importers, distributors, wholesalers, retailers, foodservice and online channels.
• What we do: represent the brand, prepare the category case, check labels for the destination market, and negotiate listings and trade terms.

Many products sit on both sides. Honey ships in drums to packers and in jars to grocery; tea is bought in bulk for blending and as finished brands. Each category page covers both. More on distribution and retail listings.

Eight categories we source and sell

• Nuts, seeds & dried fruit — Tree nuts, kernels and seeds for snack, cereal and bakery manufacturers, plus dried, frozen and freeze-dried fruit and berries. Graded and tested to the buyer's specification, including mycotoxin limits for each market.
• Honey & natural sweeteners — Bulk honey in drums for packers and manufacturers, and retail-packed honey for grocery and specialty buyers. Checked for moisture, HMF, color grade, residues and authenticity before a contract is signed.
• Grains, pulses & seed oils — Oats, buckwheat, lentils, chickpeas and other staples, plus sunflower and other seed oils. Supplied in bulk for processing or in retail packs for grocery and ethnic channels.
• Functional ingredients, superfoods & botanicals — Functional actives, superfood powders, herbs, spices and botanical extracts for food, beverage and supplement manufacturers. Qualified on identity and contaminants, and screened for regulatory status in the destination market.
• Tea & coffee — Ceylon and specialty tea, and premium instant, ground and whole-bean coffee. Branded ranges for retail, and private-label and bulk supply for packers.
• Confectionery & snacks — Chocolate, gummies, functional gum, biscuits and better-for-you snacks. Finished brands for retail, plus co-manufacturing for private label and new products.
• Functional food & beverage — Gut-health, energy, protein and low-sugar products for modern grocery. We help check claims, labels and formulations against US, UK and EU rules.
• Specialty & world foods — European and international specialty foods for gourmet, natural and ethnic channels. Preserves, sauces, deli and pantry lines, checked for import requirements before we quote.

How does sourcing work across categories?

Every category follows the same six moves: Source, Qualify, Negotiate, Move, Place, Grow. Specifications, certificates, lab results and labels are checked before anything is signed. Freight, customs entry and FDA prior notice are coordinated with vetted logistics partners, and we work alongside licensed customs brokers and regulatory consultants. The Functional Brands Group team has worked in each of these categories.

Product lists on these pages show what we can source or represent. They are not stock lists: formats, availability and minimum orders depend on the producer and the season. See how we work.

Don't see your product?

The eight categories cover most of what we work on, not all of it. If your product sits between categories, send the specification or a short description and we will tell you within two working days whether we can help. Send a sourcing request.