In 2020 the discount retailer committed to spending an additional £3.5 billion a year with British suppliers by the end of 2025, and has now confirmed that this target has been surpassed.
Aldi said it has prioritised building long-term partnerships with British suppliers and investing in home-grown businesses.
One such example is the 20-year agreement the retailer signed with family-owned fruit farm, A C Goatham & Son in Kent, to create a 200-acre Aldi Orchard that will supply the supermarket’s entire core range of British apples.
The £750 million investment will see AC Goatham & Son plant an additional 100 acres of apple trees per year exclusively for Aldi.
Commenting on the news, Giles Hurley, chief executive officer of Aldi UK, said: “British suppliers have always been at the heart of our business. From homegrown apples to Wagyu beef, and from crisps to cocktails - our range is full of incredible British products sourced from our amazing suppliers right here in the UK.
“We remain committed to buying British wherever we can and surpassing our annual spending target ahead of schedule is a testament to that. By working closely with British businesses, we continue to champion local suppliers and support the UK economy.”
Hurley added that meeting the target the business set out for itself in 2020 was a proud moment for Aldi and its suppliers.
“Their hard work and dedication are what helps us deliver great quality and value to our customers every day,” Hurley continued.
“As we look ahead, our British suppliers can know that we’ll continue to stand alongside them - just as we have for the past 35 years.”
Aldi has more than 1,000 stores in the UK and is now the fourth largest grocer in this country according to Kantar. During February, it also announced plans to invest £67 million during 2025 on store upgrades.
