Supermarket goup Sainsbury’s today (Tuesday, March 31) announced that it plans to invest £5 billion into UK and Irish agriculture through multi‑year agreements.
As part of this the group has also agreed five new five-year contracts with Angus Soft Fruit, Chambers, Soft Fruits Direct, J.O. Sims and Dyson Farming.
Sainsbury’s said this marks “a significant extension” of its long-term agreements policy which is already in place across various sectors including pork, poultry and dairy.
According to the supermarket group by next year more than 2,500 farms “all 100% British” will be backed by long-term contracts which represents over £5 billion of” committed investment”.
It expects that these partnerships will see 3.1m tonnes of Sainsbury’s own brand fresh products come from long-term agreements and that by the end of 2026, 60% of own brand suppliers of fresh produce, dairy, meat, fish and poultry will be in long-term agreements of over five years.
Sainsbury’s
Simon Roberts, the chief executive of Sainsbury’s, said that the supermarket group’s focus is on “keeping food great value for customers while giving farmers the reassurance and certainty they need to plan ahead”.
Roberts added: “We’re proud to lead the way on long term farming partnerships and cost of production models – with some of the longest in UK retail, backed by billions of pounds of committed investment.
“When farmers know what we’ll buy, at what price and for how long, they can plan, invest and keep producing the great tasting, responsibly sourced British food our customers trust.
“By expanding these long-term agreements across more of our meat, dairy, fruit and veg, we’re backing British and Irish farming for the future and bringing more homegrown food to our customers”.
Defra
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (Defra) has welcomed the long-term committment made to farmers by Sainsbury’s today.
Angela Eagle, Minister for Food Security and Rural Affairs said: “Long‑term investment in the British farming sector is vital to help secure more homegrown, high‑quality food for families, strengthen supply chains, and support the innovation and sustainability.
“All this is essential for the future of farming.
“It is great to see Sainsbury’s match our commitment to work with the sector to give farmers the certainty and confidence they need to invest, grow and plan for the future.”
