Lidl's five-year investment in British farming to reach £21 billion

In the last financial year alone, it said it invested around £5 billion, covering a range of sectors in British agriculture. 

Currently two thirds of the discounter’s products within its permanent range are from British suppliers. And 100 per cent of its fresh everyday milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken, and beef being British.

 Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, said: “As we celebrate 30 years of Lidl in Great Britain, it’s a fitting time to reflect on how far we’ve come. 

"One of the things we’re most proud of are the strong relationships we’ve built with British suppliers, who have grown with us over the years. 

"Now more than ever, we remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we’re a dependable partner to those who put quality, home-grown food on Lidl shelves across the country. 

"By continuing to invest in British agriculture, we’re helping to ensure our suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round.”

Throughout 2024, the discounter announced a series of sector-specific investments into the British food industry. 

In October, Lidl announced an investment of £1 billion into the British free-range egg industry. 

This aims to  build on existing financial incentives aimed at addressing the shortage of British free-range egg farms, with farmers in its free-range egg producer group benefitting from long-term cost of production contracts and guaranteed minimum volumes.

In July, Lidl committed to investing £1.5 billion into the British beef industry over the next five years. 

And in April, Lidl announced a £500m investment into the British pork sector following a £14m injection in 2022

Lidl is also launching a Grassroots Farming Conference to strengthen ties with British farmers across more sectors including the pork, dairy, and beef industries.

 The inaugural conference will take place from  February 19-20 next year, at Harper Adams Agricultural University and will cover topics including agricultural policy, mental health, and more. 

Key speakers include Alex Burrows, Chair of NACFT; Michael Kavanagh, Director of Green Farm Collective; and Stephanie Berkeley from the Farm Safety Foundation.