Notable improvement in Scottish sourcing, new report finds

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SFL Nov News (Scottish Produce)

Source: NFU Scotland

NFU Scotland said that where comparisons can be drawn, support for Scottish-sourced produce has improved, particularly in sectors like eggs, milk and potatoes

There has been a notable improvement in Scottish retailers sourcing from Scotland, a new report from NFU Scotland has found.

The farming union said that while the methodologies of its ShelfWatch report had changed, where comparisons can be drawn, support for Scottish-sourced produce has improved, particularly in sectors like eggs, milk and potatoes.

It warned, however, that progress remains uneven and, in some areas, “worryingly slow”.

It found that on average just 26% of own-label products across the major UK retailers in Scotland are of Scottish origin.

Aldi has led the way at 65%, but the others, including Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury’s, continue to rely heavily on imports which the farming group said undermined “both producer confidence and domestic supply resilience”.

The audit covered 78 stores across Scotland and assessed over 20,000 own-label products.

“Eggs remain a standout, with nearly 80% of own-label eggs Scottish sourced, and retailers including Aldi, Co-op, and Lidl stocking 100% Scottish eggs despite ongoing avian flu pressures,” said John Davidson, CEO of NFU Scotland. “Even in challenging conditions, strategic sourcing and supply chain management can deliver consistent domestic availability – a lesson for buyers navigating similar constraints in other commodities.”

He added that fresh milk also performed well, with more than 80% of own-label milk now Scottish.

“Potatoes are another success story,” he said, with Scottish potatoes now accounting for more than half of all products audited.

“For farmers and crofters, these successes are more than statistics,” said Davidson. “They demonstrate that the hard work put into producing food is being recognised, a lesson that resonates for suppliers anywhere in the UK.”

However, the report did flag a “small but concerning increase” in imported beef from Australia and Uruguay, which it attributed to competitive pressures and supply challenges.

Imported lamb also rose sharply in the period, and the farming group said Scottish pork also remained under-represented with retailers continuing to stock products from Europe or label items as “mixed origin”.

“For retail stakeholders, these gaps illustrate the commercial tension between cost control and long-term supply chain resilience,” said Davidson.

We’re proud to champion home grown and locally sourced products across our stores as part of our long-term commitment to sourcing all our own-brand fresh and frozen meat, fresh milk and cream from British farms, and we’re pleased that our sourcing of British grown produce, which includes Scottish blueberries, potatoes and carrots, has been recognised by NFU Scotland’s ShelfWatch,” said Nicole Tallant, Co-op’s director of commercial.

“Scotland is critical to our success - our suppliers deliver some of the highest-quality food in the world, and we are proud to make that visible to our members and shoppers.”

NFU Scotland has called on retailers to act in five key areas: improve sourcing, promote and champion, value and fairness, clear labelling and in-store branding.

“For retailers, this transparency provides actionable intelligence: where local supply is strong, where imports fill gaps, and where adjustments could strengthen both provenance messaging and supply chain resilience,” said Davidson. “For suppliers, particularly SMEs, it offers evidence to support regional listings and demonstrate value.

“And for producers, it simply means a fairer, more transparent supply chain.”

It comes as Aldi has reported a steady growth in the volume of fresh produce sold in Scotland in 2025 compared with 2024, with this positive trend continuing into January 2026. The retailer’s Scottish customers purchased 3% more fresh produce in 2025 than the previous year.