Lidl invests £1.5bn in British beef production

The discounter is aiming to set a new standard in sustainable beef production through the cash injection, as it partners with British beef suppliers in a bid to keep sourcing 100% British beef.

To achieve this, the supermarket has also launched a Sustainable Beef Group to support farmers transitioning to sustainable practices.

Suppliers will be awarded by achievement in categories including a cutting in carbon intensity, and adopting regenerative farming techniques to improve grazing management, biodiversity, and soil and water quality parameters that are unique to each farm.

The new joint investment and initiative comes amid Lidl launching in February 2024 a vacuum-packed mince solution across its range, in partnership with leading beef supplier Dunbia, reducing plastic usage by 300 tonnes annually.

The new collaboration is expected to aid both businesses in their goal to cut their scope 3 emissions intensity by 28% per tonne of finished product, by 2030, and supporting Lidl’s wider scope 3 science-aligned climate targets.

The new scheme also follows in the wake of Lidl’s exclusive Welsh and Grass Fed beef producer groups, which sees the grocery retailer pay a premium for producers to join the group.

Grocery Gazette