NFU Scotland has challenged the UK’s largest retailers to work with the trade to improve the proportion of Scottish produce on cabinets, after the union’s ShelfWatch initiative discovered lower than 20% of meals on sale was labelled as Scottish.
The total-year outcomes for the ShelfWatch initiative confirmed a really combined image in respect of sourcing ranges throughout the eight main retailers surveyed – Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S Meals, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s and Tesco. The survey was performed analysis over 4 phases all through 2024 and early 2025.
The outcomes confirmed simply 17% of all own-label merchandise have been from Scotland. Aldi was the clear entrance runner, main the rankings in each part of analysis with an general common of 40%. In second place was Lidl with a 30% common and Co-op in third with 22%. In the meantime, M&S Meals had the most important, albeit modest, enchancment throughout the 12 months in its help for Scottish produce.
Extra usually, help for British produce was sturdy with a median of 63% of own-label merchandise being sourced throughout the UK. Nonetheless, whereas this help for home sourcing is promising, ShelfWatch additionally recorded a 6% improve of imports in 2024, which has involved NFU Scotland.
However Shelf Watch discovered poor help for Scottish pork, simply 4%, throughout all surveyed retailers. Aldi was the one grocery store to inventory a major proportion of Scottish pork at 41%. Lidl stocked some Scottish pork (primarily within the type of bacon and sausages), leading to a median of 13%.
When it comes to British pork, Co-op and M&S Meals led the best way by stocking 100% British pork.
£500m alternative
In response to the survey, NFU Scotland has recognized a possible £500m alternative for Scottish farmers, crofters and growers if ranges of Scottish sourcing have been elevated by simply 12% within the coming years. To attain this, NFU Scotland has written to all eight retailers setting out this problem and outlining some particular areas the place the Union wish to see motion:
- Sourcing: Undertake a ‘Scottish First’ coverage, prioritising Scottish produce throughout all commodities and decreasing reliance on imports.
- Promotion: Improvement of a programme of promotional campaigns and exercise to champion Scottish produce in shops and on-line, together with the creation of a ‘Scottish Store’ for on-line prospects and supporting trade initiatives.
- Equity: New commitments to make sure equity within the provide chain and particularly, to finish the apply of extreme discounting which undermines the worth of meals, together with commitments to make sure pricing displays the true price of manufacturing.
- Labelling: Decide to reforming labelling practices to make sure clearer on-pack country-of-origin labelling so that customers perceive the place their meals comes from.
- In-Retailer Branding: Finish the co-mingling of Scottish and imported merchandise, via clear and clear signage and in-store branding.
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon stated the outcomes confirmed a ‘disappointing degree of Scottish sourcing’, with no actual enchancment all year long.
“ShelfWatch has delivered very important perception. Our clear message to retailers is that by working collectively, we’ve a golden alternative to help Scotland’s farmers and crofters in addition to giving their prospects extra of what they need,” he stated.
“We all know that the worth of grocery gross sales throughout Scotland is critical and we imagine Scottish farmers and crofters might get a higher share of this worth if retailers work with us and the broader trade to take ahead the actions we set immediately.
“I’d wish to congratulate Aldi particularly, who persistently held the best ranges of Scottish sourcing all year long, and in addition to Lidl for his or her ongoing dedication.
“What this information exhibits us is the large alternatives that exist for Scottish Agriculture if the appropriate actions and selections are made. NFU Scotland shall be relentless in pursuing these for the betterment of our members and wider trade”.
