Lidl confirms huge new £500m ‘rule’ in UK supermarkets | UK | News
Lidl has announced a major £500 million commitment that will shape how it sources British fruit over the next five years, in a move aimed at strengthening ties with UK growers and increasing the homegrown produce available on supermarket shelves. The discount retailer said the investment was part of new long-term agreements with British fruit suppliers to provide farmers with greater stability at a time when the sector is under pressure from rising costs, labor shortages and unpredictable weather conditions.
Under the plan, Lidl will increase the volume of UK-grown fruit sold in its stores, with the £500 million figure representing the total value of supply contracts expected over the next five years. The move comes after the German-based retailer reported that demand for blackberries in its supermarkets continues to rise, with sales of British blueberries rising by more than 200% in the last three years and blackberry sales rising by almost 93%. Meanwhile, sales of the Deluxe Blush Strawberries range increased by 50% last year.
Lidl said it recorded the biggest annual increase in fruit sales on the market last year and was recently named British Berry Retailer of the Year. Grocery Newspaper.
According to Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers, Lidl’s fruit volume in the UK has grown from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025; This represents a growth of over 36% in two seasons. It added that the retailer currently accounts for around 12.6% of all British fruit tonnage sold through industry members.
“We are supporting British farming with a £500 million vote of confidence in our British fruit growers,” said Lidl GB commercial officer Richard Bourns. “By extending our long-term agreements, we are providing the services security vendors need to build a resilient future.
“It is our clear ambition to be the partner of choice for British growers. By creating a framework that provides long-term security, we enable our growers to invest, innovate and scale with us with confidence.
“And by investing in these partnerships, we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers, offering the best of British fruit at unbeatable prices.”
