Lidl to Source British Berries in Line with Consumer Demand

Lidl GB has announced a £500m sourcing investment in British berry suppliers over the next five years. The discounter has signed new five-year agreements with UK-based growers.

The retailer is the UK's fifth largest supermarket. The investment could show how Lidl GB is using supply chain commitments to position its product range around consumer preferences for locally sourced foods.

Consumer demand drives category growth

According to Lidl GB, shoppers are buying more fresh healthy foods. The retailer has posted its largest year-on-year increase in berry sales and received the British Berry Retailer of the Year award.

Blueberries have seen a 200% sales increase at Lidl GB in the last three years. Blackberries have grown 93% and strawberries have grown 50% in the same period.

The retailer accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through British Berry Growers members. According to British Berry Growers Chair Nick Marston, Lidl's British berry volumes increased from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025.

Sourcing commitments support brand messaging

Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, says the investment reflects the retailer's supplier strategy. "We are backing British farming with a £500m vote of confidence in our British berry growers. By extending our long-term agreements, we're providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future," says Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB.

Richard says Lidl GB aims to be a preferred partner for British growers. "It is our clear ambition to be the first-choice partner for British growers. By building a framework providing long-term security, we enable our growers to confidently invest, innovate and scale alongside us. And by investing in these partnerships, we are making fresh, healthy produce more accessible to our customers – offering the best British berries at unbeatable prices."

The berry investment builds on Lidl GB's £30bn commitment to British food and farming announced at the end of 2025. That commitment included funding for sustainability programmes and certifications across its supplier base.

Retailer investment addresses sector needs

The berry sector faces rising costs and unpredictable weather patterns. Long-term supply contracts could provide growers with planning certainty for expansion and investment decisions.

Lidl GB's sustainability initiatives for suppliers include:

• 100% LEAF Marque certification across all British fresh fruit and vegetable suppliers.
• Funding for water catchment projects like the UK Food and Drink Pact Water (WRAP) Roadmap.
• Investment in British beef production to reduce carbon intensity.
• Collaboration with partners such as the ruumi app for regenerative land management techniques.

“Over the last three years, we have been impressed by the increase in Lidl’s British berry volumes, from around 11,500 tonnes in 2023 to more than 15,700 tonnes in 2025 – an increase of more than 36% in just two seasons. Across strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries, Lidl now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through British Berry Growers members,” says British Berry Growers Chair, Nick Marston.

“This kind of retailer investment and commitment to British berries is exactly what our growers need and, as we head into another British berry season, that continued support for homegrown produce is more important than ever.”