Lidl has announced a £30bn investment in the British food and farming industry.
The discounter said the pledge strengthened its commitment to backing British suppliers and supported long-term sustainable growth across the sector.
The £30bn reflects the value of sourcing contracts with British-based suppliers which will be made between 2025 and 2030.
This figure is double that of Lidl’s original commitment to invest £15bn over five years, which it said it surpassed by an additional £6bn in 2024.
“This investment is a clear, long-term commitment to British farmers and growers – a commitment that places British food and farming at the heart of our growth plans, ensuring we continue to offer our customers the quality British products they demand,” said Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB. “By backing British, we aim to provide over 650 British suppliers with the confidence and security to invest in their own businesses, laying the foundations for sustainable future growth.”
The investment will support a range of key categories from fruit and vegetables to meat and poultry as well as strengthening the UK food system, Lidl said.
This financial commitment will be paired with the support of sustainability initiatives including commiting to 100% Leaf Marque certification across all British fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers, funding for water catchment projects and the growth of its sustainable beef herd.
“Our success is rooted in the brilliance of the suppliers we work with, and we’re extremely proud of the growth we’ve achieved together,” said Bourns. “As we enter our fourth decade in Great Britain, we remain focused on providing our customers with exceptional quality at market-leading prices, with these long-term partnerships underpinning our promise.”
Dame Angela Eagle, minister for food security and rural affairs, said the commitment was a “strong vote of confidence in the quality and reliability of British farming”.
”By backing British produce we’re not just supporting our rural communities and agricultural workforce; we’re investing in sustainable food systems that will benefit consumers and the environment for generations to come – aligning with our vision for a resilient food strategy as part of our Plan for Change,” she added.
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