Lidl confirms €41m. worth of goods and services procured from Mayo suppliers | Connaught Telegraph
Lidl Ireland has announced that it procured €41 million worth of goods and services from Mayo suppliers and business partners in 2023. This is part of the retailer’s overall procurement of €1.6 billion from Irish businesses last year.
According to Lidl’s Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, the retailer procured €1.1 billion worth of goods from the Irish agri-food industry, with an additional €500 million worth of services provided by local Irish businesses. The report also revealed that €800 million worth of goods stayed within Lidl’s operations for sale in its local stores, while over €300 million worth of Irish produce was exported internationally through Lidl’s global network of stores.
Lidl has been working closely with Mayo suppliers for many years, including Western Brand, a Ballyhaunis-based company that supplies fresh, breaded, and frozen chicken products to Lidl Ireland. Another long-standing collaboration is with Castlebar’s Structural Design Solutions (SDS) Limited, which provides engineering consulting services to support Lidl’s expansion plans in Ireland and abroad. Lidl has also partnered with Waterford’s Enerpower for the installation and management of its rooftop solar array, making Lidl the largest owner of rooftop solar in the Republic of Ireland.
The retailer’s support extends beyond its established network of suppliers. Through its Kickstart Supplier Development Program, Lidl Ireland invests in small and medium-sized Irish businesses, providing them with dedicated support to advance their products, brands, and businesses. With an investment of €8.5 million, Lidl has already helped over 150 Irish businesses, with 14 products now part of Lidl’s everyday range.
Lidl’s commitment to Irish producers has led to significant exports to various European countries and even the United States. For example, O’Brien Fine Foods, a Kildare-based cooked meats producer, secured a €60 million contract with Lidl, allowing them to export to Lidl stores across Europe. Keohane’s, a Bantry-based seafood supplier, has also seen its fresh and frozen Irish seafood reach Great Britain, Germany, Cyprus, Italy, and the USA.
Lidl’s Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report for 2023 showcases their dedication to supporting local suppliers and contributing to the growth of Irish produce on a global scale. The report highlights the substantial economic impact and opportunities created by Lidl’s partnership with Irish businesses.
Applications for Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Development Program are currently open until February 29, 2024.
