In the last financial year alone, it said it invested around £5bn, covering a range of sectors in UK agriculture.

Currently, two thirds of the products in the discounter’s permanent assortment come from British suppliers. And 100 percent of its fresh milk, butter, eggs, cream, pork, chicken and beef are British.

Richard Bourns, commercial director of Lidl GB, said: “As we celebrate 30 years of Lidl in Britain, it’s the perfect time to reflect on how far we’ve come.

“One of the things we are most proud of is the strong relationships we have built with UK suppliers, which have grown with us over the years.

“Now more than ever, we remain committed to supporting British farmers, ensuring we are a trusted partner for those who put quality, home-grown food on Lidl shelves across the country.

“By continuing to invest in British agriculture, we are helping to ensure our suppliers can thrive in the future, providing the British-sourced products our customers love all year round. »

Throughout 2024, the discounter has announced a series of sector-specific investments in the UK food industry.

In October, Lidl announced a £1 billion investment in the UK’s free-range egg industry.

This aims to build on existing financial incentives aimed at addressing the shortage of free-range egg farms in the UK, with farmers in its Free-Range Egg Producer Group benefiting from long-term cost of production contracts. term and guaranteed minimum volumes.

In July, Lidl committed to investing £1.5 billion in the UK beef industry over the next five years.

And in April, Lidl announced a £500 million investment in the UK pig sector following a £14 million injection in 2022.

Lidl is also launching a grassroots farming conference to strengthen links with UK farmers across more sectors, including the pork, dairy and beef sectors.

The inaugural conference will take place on February 19-20 next year, at Harper Adams Agricultural University and will cover topics such as agricultural policy, mental health and more.

Keynote speakers include Alex Burrows, President of NACFT; Michael Kavanagh, director of Green Farm Collective; and Stephanie Berkeley of the Farm Safety Foundation.