Lidl makes major announcement over pork range move they say will help customers and farmers

Lidl has made a major announcement over the supply of pork to its range which they say will help keep costs down for customers. British pork farmers have faced a string of challenges including rising costs, a Chinese import ban on EU pork, and butcher shortages.

The firm said this had led to a significant backlog of healthy pigs and financial worries for producers Now it has announced a £500m investment into the British pork sector which it says will help both farmers and customers.

As part of the move, it has introduced its "Lidl Pork Standard" which will see producers move to an "open book" model which means the cost of production will be included in payments to farmers as well as a guaranteed profit margin.

Lidl is the fourth-largest retailer in the fresh pork category with an 11% market share. Richard Bourns, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl GB, said: “This latest investment underlines our commitment to British producers, animal welfare and the environment.

"Acknowledging the challenges faced by the industry and its farmers in recent years, we recognised the need for intervention and the development of a bespoke solution addressing these challenges. That’s why we’ve been working closely with our suppliers and farmers, including major partners such as Cranswick and Pilgrim’s, to ensure we understand the intricacies of this supply chain and are well-positioned to deliver impactful change.

“With our pork market share significantly greater than our broader market share, it highlights the substantial influence we have in this area and we’re embracing our responsibility to drive positive change. Our new pork standard is all about supporting our rural communities and ensuring the resilience of the sector while providing customers with high-quality British pork at affordable prices.”

Commenting on the move, Lizzie Wilson, Chief Executive of the National Pig Association, added: “The NPA welcomes the introduction of Lidl's pork producer contracts and its continued commitment to ensuring a sustainable domestic supply of British pork.”

Rick Buckle, Managing Director Farms - Pork Division at Cranswick Plc, said: “It's great to see Lidl's continued commitment to British pig farming and we’re thrilled to be working with them on its new standard. Together, we’ve already commenced groundbreaking research trials aimed at enhancing pig welfare and are excited to work in partnership with Lidl for years to come.”

Fábio Brancher, Operations Director for Agriculture at Pilgrim’s Europe, commented: “With Lidl’s support, this collaborative approach will provide crucial stability for our third-party farmers, shielding them from market volatility and aiding their recovery from recent challenges. This next step with Lidl underscores our commitment to supporting British farmers and fostering a sustainable future for the sector, and we look forward to developing our relationship further.”