A new report from NFU Scotland has identified a significant £500m opportunity for Scottish farmers, crofters, and growers. The findings, released through the union’s ShelfWatch initiative, highlight a notable gap in supermarket sourcing practices, which could be closed to increase the amount of Scottish produce available on shelves.
The ShelfWatch Initiative: A Mixed Picture of Scottish Sourcing
The ShelfWatch initiative, which monitored Scottish sourcing across major UK retailers, reveals a disappointing 17% of own-label products in supermarkets are sourced from Scotland. This research spanned four phases during 2024 and early 2025 and covered Aldi, Asda, Co-op, Lidl, M&S Food, Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, and Tesco.
Despite the overall low percentage, there were variations in performance between retailers. Aldi emerged as the leader, with an average of 40% of its own-label products sourced from Scotland, followed by Lidl at 30% and Co-op at 22%. On the other hand, M&S Food showed modest improvements in supporting Scottish produce over the year.
£500m Potential: A Clear Opportunity for Growth
NFU Scotland has calculated that if Scottish sourcing levels were increased by just 12%, the total opportunity for Scottish farmers and crofters could be worth £500 million. This increase would help to better align supermarket practices with the growing demand for local produce and would support Scotland’s agricultural economy.
In response to these findings, NFU Scotland is urging retailers to adopt a ‘Scottish First’ policy, prioritising locally sourced products over imports. The union believes that this approach will not only benefit the agricultural sector but also meet growing consumer demand for Scottish food.
Key Recommendations for Retailers
NFU Scotland has made several recommendations for retailers to support the increased sourcing of Scottish produce:
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Development of a ‘Scottish Shop’ for online customers: Retailers are encouraged to create a designated section for Scottish products in both physical and online stores.
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Promotional campaigns: A concerted effort to highlight and champion Scottish produce through in-store and digital marketing campaigns.
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Supply chain fairness: Retailers are urged to ensure that their supply chains remain fair and equitable, particularly for local farmers and crofters.
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Clearer labelling practices: NFU Scotland advocates for clearer country-of-origin labelling to help consumers easily identify Scottish produce and make more informed purchasing decisions.
Support for Scottish Farmers and Crofters
Andrew Connon, President of NFU Scotland, commented on the initiative’s findings:
“ShelfWatch has delivered vital insight into the sourcing of Scottish produce, and we believe retailers have a golden opportunity to support Scotland’s farmers and crofters while providing customers with more of what they want. The potential for growth is clear, and if retailers take action, it could be transformational for Scotland’s farming industry.”
Connon praised Aldi and Lidl for their ongoing commitment to sourcing Scottish produce, calling them leaders in this area. However, he also noted the mixed performance across other retailers, urging them to do more.
Government’s Role in Supporting the Initiative
While retailers are encouraged to play a central role, NFU Scotland also emphasized the importance of effective government policy to support the farming industry. The union believes that a partnership between the agricultural sector, retailers, and policymakers is crucial for creating a sustainable and profitable future for Scottish farming.
