Lidl Ireland invests €1.67bn in Irish suppliers in 2024
Lidl procured €1.2 billion in agri-food and €426 million in services from Irish suppliers, with exports increasing by 5% to €360 million
Print13 February 2025
Lidl Ireland’s latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report shows the retailer procured more than €1.67 billion worth of goods and services from Irish businesses in 2024 – an increase of €41 million (or 2.5%) on last year.
Of this, Lidl Ireland procured €1.2 billion worth of goods from the Irish agrifood sector in 2024 – up €89 million (or 7%) on 2023 – and procured a further €426 million worth of services from business partners in Ireland in 2024.
Lidl continues to give Irish producers unrivalled access to local and international markets supporting the growth and success of Irish produce worldwide.
Of the €1.2 billion procured from Irish agri-food producers, €885 million worth of goods stayed within Lidl Ireland’s operations to be sold through its local store network.
Increased focus
With an increasing focus on export opportunities for its valued Irish suppliers, more than €360 million was exported internationally through Lidl’s expansive network of stores, an increase of almost 5% on 2023 figures.
Suppliers the length and breadth of the country benefitted from this record investment by Lidl.
In 2024, Lidl’s 20-year partnership with Liffey Meats reached new heights with the signing of a €100m deal, which was described as a “game changer” for the Ballyjamesduff processor.
Lidl’s supply deal with Liffey Meats has delivered 54 Bord Bia Quality Assured beef products onto Lidl shelves in Ireland as well as being exported to Lidl stores in 13 countries across Europe.
Expanding partnerships
Last year, Lidl expanded its partnership with Golden Bake to award its highest value contract yet for the Dublin-based bakery, having grown from supplying Lidl with just one product line in 2018, to boosting its contract value in the last year alone from €1 million to a tasty €6 million.
The new deal saw three flavours of soft bake cookies, previously sourced internationally, replaced with a new and improved recipe produced locally in Dublin, underscoring the retailer’s commitment to supporting its growing network of almost 1,800 Irish producers and business partners
Lidl also expanded its two decade-long relationship with Kerry Dairy Ireland to develop the retailer’s first own-brand infant formula range, manufactured at Kerry Dairy’s state-of-the-art facility in Charleville, Co. Cork, in a new supply deal worth €2 million.
The retailer also firmed up a brand-new supply deal with Mayo-based ULTRAPURE Laboratories to launch its first ever Irish made own-brand skincare range, Ár Ocean, in an exclusive new local supplier partnership worth €1 million for the Ballina business.
Kickstart Supplier programme
Alongside its established supplier network, Lidl Ireland is committed to supporting small and medium sized home-grown businesses through its industry-leading Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, supported by Bord Bia.
In 2024, Kickstart supported 45 local Irish producers and showcased their products across over 200 stores on the island of Ireland.
A standout from 2024’s Kickstart programme was Naked Bakes, which secured a €700,000 permanent listing in 223 Lidl stores, demonstrating the programme’s impact in fostering growth and opportunities for local suppliers.
Since its launch in 2017, Lidl has invested more than €37 million in supporting almost 300 Irish businesses across the island of Ireland through the Kickstart programme.
“Our market-leading growth in Ireland over the past 25 years is testament to our long-established business model focused on investing in our local supplier network and bringing high quality, locally sourced fresh produce at great value to over two million shoppers each week in Ireland, and to our global network of Lidl stores across 31 countries,” said Robert Ryan, chief executive officer, Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland.
Business growth
Ryan noted that growing its local supplier network has always been a priority for Lidl and its is proud to have nurtured long-standing relationships that offer its suppliers stability and afford them the opportunity to plan for their future business growth with Lidl.
“The strength of our supplier relationships has allowed us to combat inflationary pressures and maintain our promise to customers to provide quality locally sourced produce at an affordable price,” said Ryan.
Lidl is annually investing over €1.6 billion in its Irish suppliers with an increase of 2.5% in 2024.
This record level of investment is a huge driver of local economic growth, and this report demonstrates Lidl’s commitment to supporting its entire network of local businesses to grow, develop and enjoy success.
“Our sustained business performance enables us to continue investing in expanding our supplier network as well as our store network, which is currently at 180 stores, and will see significant growth in the next 12 months,” concluded Ryan.
Export opportunities
“Lidl’s latest report demonstrates its strong and enduring support for Irish food and drink businesses, many of whom Lidl have worked with for more than 20 years,” said Jim O’Toole, chief executive officer, Bord B ia.
O’Toole noted that partnering with Lidl has also enabled many Irish food and drink suppliers to grow their reach internationally through export opportunities across the Lidl global store network.
Positive experience
“I had a very positive experience with Lidl’s Kickstart Supplier Programme last year which saw our Naked Bakes cookies go on shelves in over 200 Lidl stores in Ireland,” said Aisling Tuck, founder, Naked Bakes.
Tuck noted that getting on shelf was fantastic exposure for Naked Bakes products but it was all the support provided by the Lidl team along the way that has really impacted its business.
“We have now transitioned from a promotional opportunity to a permanent listing agreement, and it is exciting to see where the relationship can take our business,” concluded Tuck.
Read more: Olympian David Gillick joins Lidl Ireland to launch expanded high-protein range
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