UK discounter Aldi has unveiled more than £5 billion in long term agreements with British suppliers.
The retailer said the multi-year agreements, which cover fresh produce as well as dairy and meat, are designed to give farmers and growers greater confidence to invest in future production and build more resilient supply chains. Aldi is aiming to secure 50% of its domestic produce through long-term agreements by the end of 2027.
Aldi already sources around 75% of its sales from UK-based suppliers and says more than 40% of the fresh produce sold in its stores is British-grown.
Recent consumer research commissioned by the retailer found that while 80% of UK shoppers say supporting British farmers matters to them, only 27% regularly check whether their fruit and vegetables are grown in the UK. The study also highlighted growing consumer interest in seasonal produce and British-grown food.