Morrisons has announced it is committing over £1.6 billion to British agriculture and food production in 2026.
According to Morrisons, this commitment will “their 127-year relationship with British farming” and support a series of planned, multi-year partnerships with farmers that supply Morrisons with products such as fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, dairy and eggs.
The supermarket said it works with its farmers “in a partnership approach”, with terms of trade between the parties governed by The Groceries Supply Code of Practice (GSCOP) and a firm commitment to fair dealing and transparency.
“In line with this long-term commitment. Morrisons typically operates on multi-year contracts, enhancing visibility and certainty for farmers,” a statement from the supermarket said.
The statement also outlined that the supermarket has introduced a shared farming agreement for potato farmers that underwrites 100% of the costs associated with growing their crops, “to mitigate the cost and weather pressures that come from the peaks and troughs of the season”.
Rami Baitiéh, CEO at Morrisons, said: “Now, more than ever, at a time when farming is under pressure, we stand shoulder to shoulder with British farmers, providing them with long-term financial stability and practical support.
“That is why we are committing to invest £1.6 billion with British farms this year, backing the people who produce our food and giving them the confidence and stability they need to continue producing high quality British products for our customers.”
Speaking about the investment announced, farming minister Dame Angela Eagle, said: “For decades, Morrisons has been a steadfast and consistent partner for British agriculture.
“Through long-term partnerships and significant investment, they are not only helping put quality homegrown food on our tables, but are also helping sustainable food production to grow and prosper.
“This government will continue to work closely with industry to support British farming and increase its profitability, productivity and sustainability for years to come.”
Morrisons has stated it supports its direct investment in British farming with a wide range of initiative, including the Morrisons ‘Next Generation Farming Programme’, and the ‘For Farmers’ range.
In addition, Morrisons offers support such as a 5% discount in-store and online to all Morrisons farmers, while its ‘Tractor Tuesdays’ initiative which gives farmers 25% off its café menu on a Tuesday, helping to make the farming industry more visible to customers shopping for the food they produce.
