Lidl GB announced it will allocate £500 million (US$678 million) to sourcing British berries over the next five years, through new long-term agreements with UK growers.

According to the chain, these five-year contracts aim to provide greater certainty to producers so they can invest, expand their activity, and face increased costs and climate-related challenges with more support.

“We are supporting British agriculture with a £500 million vote of confidence in our UK berry growers,” said Richard Bourns, Commercial Director of Lidl GB. “By extending our long-term agreements, we are giving suppliers the security they need to build a more resilient future.”

The announcement comes amid growth in the category within the chain. Lidl indicated that sales of British blueberries have increased by more than 200% in the last three years. During the same period, sales of British blackberries grew by nearly 93%, while volumes of Deluxe Blush strawberries increased by 50% over the past year.

Data from British Berry Growers shows that the volume of British berries sold by Lidl increased from approximately 11.500 tons in 2023 to over 15.700 tons in 2025, representing growth of more than 36% in two seasons. As a result, Lidl now accounts for around 12,6% of the total tonnage of British berries sold through the organization's members.

“This kind of retail investment and commitment to British berries is exactly what our growers need,” said Nick Marston, chairman of British Berry Growers. “As we approach a new British berry season, this continued support for local production is more important than ever.”

From the production sector, the signal was also seen as a basis for continued investment. Tom Busby, director of Dearnsdale Farm in Staffordshire, commented: “Having a long-term agreement with Lidl GB now gives us, as British growers, the opportunity and confidence to continue investing and adapting to the changing world of berries in the coming years.”

The commitment to sourcing berries is part of a broader plan by Lidl GB, which envisions spending £30.000 billion (US$40,7 billion) with British suppliers by 2030.