Lidl to invest £21bn in British food industry

Lidl GB is on track to invest a total of £21bn in the British food industry by the end of FY24, exceeding its original five-year commitment of £15bn by 40%. 

This equates to an additional £6bn and underscores the retailer’s ongoing support for British agriculture and food production.  

In the last financial year alone, the supermarket chain invested around £5bn. The investments cover a range of sectors, with Lidl GB long championing British agriculture. 

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

Lidl’s commitment to British produce is enhanced by its model, which offers an extensive own-brand range – approximately 90% of its product offering, compared to 56% across the sector – meaning it has direct relationships with more than 650 suppliers from across the country.

Throughout 2024, the discounter announced a series of sector-specific investments into the British food industry, including £1bn into the British free-range egg industry, £1.5bn  into the British beef industry over the next five years, a £500m investment into the British pork sector, and over £70m into British root veg suppliers.

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.”