Lidl bolsters British food investment to £21bn over five years

The challenger to traditional supermarkets has predicted increased spend on British produce by 40%, equating to an extra £6bn on top of a £15bn five-year commitment.

Lidl’s produce investment strategy comes as the discounter announces the launch of its first ‘Grassroots Farming conference’ in February next year, aimed to develop relationships with British farmers.

Lidl spends big on British food and drinkIn its last financial year, the chain spent £5bn on British food and drink, covering a range of agricultural sectors on the British Isles.

Two-thirds of its permanent range products are sourced from British suppliers, the retailer claimed, with 100% of its fresh everyday milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken and beef coming from British growers.

“We remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we’re a dependable partner to those who put quality, home-grown food on shelves across the country,” said Lild GB chief commercial officer Richard Bourns.

How much will Lidl invest in UK produce?“By continuing to invest in British agriculture, we’re helping to ensure out suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round,” Bourns continued.

The retailer this year marks three decades operating in Great Britain, where it has developed an offering with British at the centre, driven by direct relationships with over 650 home suppliers, it claimed.

Lidl’s 2024 British farming investments in figures:£1bn in British free-range egg industry to address product shortages£1.5bn over five years to develop sustainable, British beef ad to ensure Lidl can source 100% homegrown product£500m into fresh pork to double down on its £14m 2022 injection to provide 100% British pork£70m to help root vegetable farmers face the challenging January weather conditionsMeanwhile, Lidl bet big last month on own-label plant-based by targeting 25% category sales and launched a raft of new lines onto shelves, with more to follow.