Richard Lochhead encouraged the retailer to boost its Scottish offering, despite sales reaching £2.1bn.
Tesco chairman John Allan met with Scotland’s food secretary last week (May 20) to celebrate the work Tesco has done and discuss ways Scottish businesses and producers could showcase their products in the store.
Lochhead said he was delighted to have been able to discuss options of how to increase opportunities for Scottish products south of the border.
Increase in sales and suppliers
“In recent years Tesco has developed a strong partnership with Scotland Food and Drink and, as a result of that partnership and other work, has witnessed a £9.2M increase in sales for Scottish suppliers, seen 72 new Scottish products land on their shelves, and created 10 new jobs in Tesco’s buying team,” he claimed.
“This shows the type of progress that can be made and I have encouraged the company to go further and continue to increase the amount of Scottish products they stock in stores across the UK.”
Lochhead was also keen to see Tesco work with Scotland Food and Drink around wider food policy help it realise the ambition of Scotland becoming a Good Food Nation.
“Scotland has a fantastic natural larder that lends itself to some of the best food and drink around,” he added.
“I’m glad our hard-working producers, farmers, suppliers and processors are receiving support from Tesco, and I hope this partnership continues to grow as retailers and the food service sector play their part in helping Scotland become a Good Food Nation.”
Consumers
He also encouraged consumers to purchase local produce at every opportunity.
“I want to make it clear that it’s not just down to our retailers and food service sector – it’s also down to the public who buy food and drink week-in, week-out,” he claimed.
“If local produce is available to you – and it certainly should be – then I encourage you to buy it. Support your local producers and plough something back into the communities they come from.”