Lidl GB has announced a ‘landmark’ £30 billion investment in the British food and farming industry over the next five years, doubling discounter’s original 2019 commitment to invest £15bn over five years.
The 2019 commitment was surpassed by an additional £6bn in 2024 and the new investment, which will be made between 2025 and 2030,will strengthen the discount retailer’s commitment to backing British suppliers and supporting long-term sustainable growth across the sector, it said..
Lidl, now in its fourth decade in Great Britain, said the new investment reflects the value of sourcing contracts with British-based suppliers and underscores its continued focus on building long-term partnerships with farmers, growers and suppliers.
The significant investment will support a broad range of key British food categories from fruit and vegetables to meat and poultry, strengthening the UK food system and enhancing national food security.
The investment by Lidl is supported by ‘industry-leading sustainability initiatives’, including:
- Committing to 100% LEAF Marque certification across all British fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers. The LEAF logo will be rolled out on packaging of all British fresh produce from next year.
- Continued funding for water catchment projects like UK Food and Drink Pact Water (WRAP) Roadmap, supporting collective action to address water risks in key sourcing regions such as Medway, Southwest England, Norfolk and the rivers Wye and Usk.
- Growth of its Sustainable Beef Group – investing £1.5 billion in British beef production, Lidl is working with farmers to reduce carbon intensity, improve herd performance and farm profitability, reinforcing its commitment to sourcing 100% everyday own-label fresh beef from British suppliers.
- Collaboration with partners such as the ruumi app, providing beef farmers with digital innovation to adopt regenerative land management techniques and track progress across grazing, herd performance, and carbon intensity – driving sustainability in the food and farming sector.
The discounter said its long-term sourcing model provides suppliers with the stability and confidence needed to invest, innovate and scale sustainably, enabling it to offer the highest quality products at the lowest possible prices whilst backing a resilient, ethical and sustainable British supply chain.
Long-term commitment
Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “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. By backing British, we aim to provide over 650 British suppliers the confidence and security to invest in their own businesses, laying the foundations for sustainable future growth.”
Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs Dame Angela Eagle said: “Lidl’s investment is a strong vote of confidence in the quality and reliability of British farming and we’re proud to support partnerships that recognise the excellence of all that our farmers produce.
“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.”