Aldi tops Scottish sourcing in latest NFUS ShelfWatch report

Aldi has been recognised as Scotland’s top supermarket for sourcing Scottish products, with 41% of its shelf stock now coming from Scottish suppliers, according to the latest NFU Scotland (NFUS) ShelfWatch report.

The retailer’s combined Scottish and British sourcing now sits at 88%, matching the Co-op and putting both supermarkets ahead of their competitors.

The report found that Aldi has boosted its range of Scottish-sourced products by 7% since January, suggesting a continued commitment to investing in local supply chains.

See also: Supermarkets alerted to £500m potential of Scottish produce

Aldi Scotland group buying director Graham Nicolson (left) and NFUS president Andrew Connon © NFUS

NFUS president Andrew Connon said: “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 Co-op and Asda, which 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.”

ShelfWatch auditing

The ShelfWatch audit tracks the origin, labelling and visibility of own-label goods across eight major UK supermarkets.

While the report highlights improvements in areas such as pork and milk, it also raises concerns in others.

Imported lamb rose by 8% year-on-year, with major retailers including Tesco and Morrisons stocking products from New Zealand and Australia.

Asda stocked no Scotch lamb, with 82% imported lamb on its shelves.

British pork sourcing has risen by 17%, replacing some imported meat, while imported vegetables have increased across several supermarkets.

Although this may reflect the impact of this year’s dry weather, NFUS said the figures underline the need for greater supply chain resilience.

Mr Connon added: “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.”

Special department 

Aldi now offers more than 450 locally produced items and works with over 90 Scottish suppliers following the establishment of its Scottish Buying Department in 2009.

Aldi Scotland group buying director Graham Nicolson said: “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.”

NFUS will revisit these findings in its end-of-year report and continue engaging with all major retailers to review progress on its five key priorities.

These include fairer pricing, stronger Scottish sourcing commitments, and clearer labelling.