The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) Scotland has recognized Aldi as Scotland’s preeminent supermarket for local sourcing, according to its latest ShelfWatch 2025 Mid-Year Report.
As detailed in the report, NFU Scotland highlights that an impressive 41% of Aldi’s shelf stock is now sourced from Scotland. This marks a significant achievement, with the retailer increasing its assortment of Scottish-sourced products by 7% since January and 6% year-on-year. This increase underscores Aldi’s ongoing commitment to investing in local supply chains.
In terms of overall sourcing, Aldi has reached a commendable 88% when combining Scottish and British products, placing it on par with the Co-op. This positions both Aldi and the Co-op ahead of several competitors in the marketplace, solidifying their status as leaders in local sourcing.
While Aldi stands out as the top performer in this sector, it is noteworthy that NFU Scotland acknowledges that other retailers have also exhibited “strong improvement.” For instance, the Co-op has made significant gains in sourcing since January, and Asda has demonstrated year-on-year progress comparable to Aldi’s growth.
Andrew Connon, president of NFU Scotland, remarked: “Aldi’s progress is encouraging and shows what’s possible when retailers genuinely commit to local sourcing. But it’s equally positive to see other supermarkets closing the gap, particularly the Co-op and Asda, who have also made real progress this year. Across the sector, however, less than one in five products on shelves are Scottish-sourced – and that must change.”
Concern Over Imported Vegetables
The ShelfWatch audit meticulously tracks the origin, labeling, and visibility of own-label products across eight major UK supermarkets. While positive trends have emerged in the sourcing of pork and milk, NFU Scotland warns that the report presents a “concerning picture” regarding other critical areas.
- There has been a notable surge in imported vegetables across several retailers. This spike may be attributed to the dry weather observed this year. However, it highlights the urgent need for investment in the supply chain to foster long-term resilience.
- Additionally, imported lamb has increased by 8% year-on-year. Major retailers like Tesco and Morrisons are now offering products sourced from New Zealand and Australia. Alarmingly, Asda stocked no Scotch lamb, with a staggering 82% of the lamb available on its shelves being imported.
- On a more positive note, British pork sourcing has risen by 17%, effectively replacing some imports. This indicates a promising trend, demonstrating that progress is feasible when retailers engage with local suppliers.
Connon further stated: “Consumers want to buy Scottish. Farmers want to supply Scottish. But supermarkets are still too reliant on imports – whether that’s lamb from the Southern Hemisphere or veg flown in from overseas. ShelfWatch shows encouraging steps forward from several supermarkets, but also that there’s still a long way to go.”
Aldi, which established its dedicated Scottish Buying Department in 2009, collaborates with over 90 Scottish suppliers and boasts a range of more than 450 locally produced items. The retailer emphasizes that the insights provided by ShelfWatch are crucial in shaping its overall sourcing strategy.
Graham Nicolson, group buying director at Aldi Scotland, commented: “We’re proud of the progress we’ve made and remain committed to supporting Scottish farmers and producers. ShelfWatch provides valuable insight that helps us strengthen local supply chains, expand Scottish ranges, and ensure high-quality produce reaches our customers.”
The NFU Scotland plans to revisit these findings in its end-of-year report. Moreover, the organization intends to engage directly with major retailers to assess progress against its five key initiatives, which include clearer labeling, fairer pricing, stronger commitments to Scottish sourcing, and improved visibility and branding protocols.
