Video: Farmers shut down Lidl depots in price protests

In a fresh wave of direct action, farmers have used tractors to blockade three Lidl distribution centres across England, including sites in Peterborough, Doncaster – close to Lidl’s UK headquarters – and Houghton Regis near Luton.

The protests began just before 5am, with tractors blocking entrances and halting supply chain operations as deliveries were prevented from entering or leaving the sites.

At the Lidl regional distribution centre near Luton, the largest such facility in Europe, 14 tractors lined the entrance/exit access into the site, displaying placards reading “No British farming no food” and “Labour liars”.

See also: Farmers blockade Tesco supermarket depots in surprise raid

The demonstrations, carried out by a group of independent farmers, reflect growing frustration over food policy, import competition and what protesters describe as a lack of government action on issues affecting British agriculture.

The same group previously targeted Tesco depots on 12 January, and several supermarket distribution centres in Daventry, Northamptonshire, earlier this month.

Farmer protest Lidl depot, Luton © Phil Weston

Food security and imports

Phil Weston, a fifth-generation farmer from Hartwell, Northamptonshire, and spokesman for the group at the Houghton Regis site, said the action was intended to raise awareness about food security and the fragility of the UK food system.

He accused major supermarkets of prioritising imports to maximise profits at the expense of British producers.

“This produce that is coming into the country doesn’t meet our standards by a long stretch. something needs to change about it,” he said, in a video recorded beside his tractor.

Mr Weston told Farmers Weekly the protest had caused major disruption for Lidl at its Luton depot and there were lorries parked up everywhere.

“It has caused a bit of storm. We have asked the Lidl managers to come out and have conversations with us, but so far all they have come out with is croissants to try and soften us up,” he said.

Mr Weston added that while Lidl and Tesco were the initial targets, future action could extend to all major supermarkets if farmers’ concerns remain unaddressed.

Tractor protest Lidl depot Peterborough © Mark Watler

Peterborough blockade

In Peterborough, nine tractors, including some with trailers, were reported to have blocked the Lidl distribution centre, disrupting logistics and traffic flow.

Some displayed signs including “Buy British, make Britain great again”, and “Raised right raised British, Labour out”.

Mark Watler, a farmworker based in Leicestershire, explained why he had joined the protest.

“We want the supermarkets to treat farmers fairly and to put pressure on the government to get together and start talking about it,” he said.

“Farmers are being paid a third less for their wheat now than they were three years ago. Our costs have doubled, or even tripled in some areas, yet the price of bread on the shelves has not gone down.

“Similarly, British dairy farmers are losing money hand over fist, supposedly because of too much milk being produced. Personally, I just think we’re importing too much milk.

“The price of milk in supermarkets has also gone up, but farmers are getting paid less money. Something isn’t right.”

Reflecting on the latest 3.4% rise in UK inflation, Mr Watler added: “Farmers who are producing the food are getting screwed, consumers who are buying it are getting screwed.

“In the meantime, supermarkets are making record profits.”

Mr Watler said farmers welcomed the government’s concession to raise the proposed inheritance tax (IHT) threshold from £1m to £2.5m – or £5m for married couples and civil partners – but said it did not go far enough.

“If you’re a farmer hit with an £800,000 IHT bill, it will take you eight to 10 years to pay off. That’s without putting anything back into growing the business and having any money in reserve,” he said.

“If farmers were paid fairly for their produce, many would be happy to pay IHT – but we’re not.”

Tractor blockade at Lidl depot, Peterborough © Jack Robinson

Doncaster depot targeted

At the Doncaster Lidl depot on the iPort site, around a dozen tractors were reported to have stopped lorries entering or leaving the premises.

Protesters said inflation in food prices has not translated into fair returns for producers and accused supermarkets of exerting excessive power within the supply chain.

£30bn investment

The protests against Lidl come despite the retailer announcing a £30bn investment in British food and farming in October, pledging increased long-term support for UK suppliers between 2025 and 2030.

Organisers behind the recent actions have warned that further tractor blockades could take place weekly across different locations unless there is meaningful dialogue or policy change addressing farmers’ concerns over food security, imports, supermarket practices and taxation.

Farmers Weekly has approached Lidl for a comment.