Lidl has announced a major £500million commitment that will shape how it sources British berries over the next five years, in a move that aims to strengthen ties with UK growers and boost homegrown produce available on supermarket shelves. The discount retailer said the investment is part of new long-term agreements with British berry suppliers, designed to give farmers greater stability at a time when the sector is under pressure from rising costs, labour shortages and unpredictable weather conditions.
Under the plan, Lidl will increase the volume of UK-grown berries sold in its stores, with the £500million figure representing the total value of sourcing contracts expected over the next five years. The move comes as the German-based retailer reported that demand for berries at its supermarkets continues to grow, with sales of British blueberries having increased by more than 200% and blackberry sales by almost 93% over the past three years. Volumes of its Deluxe Blush Strawberries range, meanwhile, increased by 50% last year.
Lidl said it recorded the largest year-on-year increase in berry sales in the market last year and was recently named British Berry Retailer of the Year, according to the Grocery Gazette.
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 – a growth of more than 36% in two seasons. He added that the retailer now accounts for around 12.6% of all British berry tonnage sold through the industry body’s members.
“We are backing British farming with a £500million vote of confidence in our British berry growers,” said Lidl GB chief commercial officer, Richard Bourns. “By extending our long-term agreements, we’re providing the security suppliers need to build a resilient future.
“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.”