Lidl has joined rival Aldi in signing up to the NFU’s ‘fruit and veg pledge’ which was launched last year with the aiming of supporting the British farming industry.

The code is designed to cultivate longer term relationships between retailers, intermediaries and growers with commitments in areas including fair treatment all suppliers, offering greater price certainty, paying in full and on time, and reducing waste.

Aldi was the only major supermarket to have so far signed up to the scheme, although the farmers’ union has called on all retailers to join up to help boost the profitability of the struggling farming industry.

Ali Capper, NFU horticulture and potatoes board chair said: “We are delighted that Lidl has publicly committed to our pledge, highlighting its commitment to long-term supply relationships, equitable distribution of reward along the supply chain, and fair and respectful trading relationships. Our goal is to generate integrity, honesty and openness across the market and that can only come from the key asks within our pledge – which includes price certainty, transparent working and strong, long term relationships that are fair for everyone involved. Lidl, with its already long history of working closely with its suppliers, is an ideal candidate to make the pledge.”

Ryan McDonnell, Commercial Director for Lidl UK, commented: “We are very proud to have developed and maintained strong, long-standing relationships with all our suppliers, and our commitment to the NFU pledge cements this further. We’re also very keen to ensure that our sourcing process supports the growth and development of UK growers, which is vital in encouraging more and more people, particularly our shoppers, to regularly eat more fruit and veg.”