Lidl has said its sales of free range eggs have increased by over a third in the past year, following its decision to establish a producer group.
The retailer said members of the producer group benefit from long-term cost of production contracts, guaranteed minimum volumes, assistance in securing finance from banks, and additional funding to build new free-range sheds.
Lidl was one of the first retailers to roll out white eggs across all stores in the UK, produced by white breeds that lay eggs for longer and consume less feed, a move Lidl said contributed to its sustainability aims.
Richard Bourns, chief commercial officer at Lidl GB, said: “We are proud to support British farmers – they are critical to our business, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without them. Together with our producer groups, we’ve developed long-term cost of production contracts, providing farmers with the confidence and security they need to invest in their business. This commitment ensures a sustainable future for the industry and guarantees high-quality, affordable British eggs for our customers.”
Julia Brewster, a member of the producer group said: “In less than a year, we’ve already seen the benefits of joining the producer group. Lidl has invested over £5 million into our business and with its support and commitment to buying all our eggs, we’ve gained the confidence to invest further. We’re expanding rapidly, quadrupling our output, and building multiple new sheds – setting us up for the future”.