This investment will enable 60% of own brand suppliers in these sectors to hold long-term agreements by the end of 2026, coming from more than 2500 British farms.
Ensuring stability and resilience
The expansion will secure products across key areas, including milk, carrots, mushrooms, soft fruit and chicken, helping ensure stability and resilience across the supply chain at a time when operating costs, climate pressures and global instability continue to impact farmers.
By 2027, more than 2,500 farms – all 100% British – will be backed by long-term contracts representing over £5 billion of committed investment and securing 3.1 million tonnes of homegrown fresh food.
“Long-term contracts like these give farmers and growers the certainty they need to invest in on-farm infrastructure for the future.”
NFU President Tom Bradshaw
NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: “Now more than ever, we’re seeing the vital importance of building resilience into our farming and growing businesses. For a long time, we’ve been highlighting how fairness in the supply chain plays an important part in that resilience as it boosts businesses confidence levels.
“Long-term contracts like these give farmers and growers the certainty they need to invest in on-farm infrastructure for the future. That is good for growth, good for productivity and good for sustainability.”
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive of Sainsbury’s said: “Good food is something people depend on every day. In uncertain times, our focus is on keeping food great value for customers while giving farmers the reassurance and certainty they need to plan ahead.
“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. This is how we protect quality, value and provenance in an uncertain world and how we help secure the future of good food for all of us.”
Fairness in the supply chain
Right across the NFU we are working for improved fairness in the UK’s food supply chain.
Visit our Fairness for farmers and growers pages to see our work and see how we can support you.
