From 1 June, Lidl’s customers in Wales will be able to pick up ‘fully’ Welsh milk, with cream products soon to follow, in a move that will reduce food miles – prior to the deal, Welsh milk was bottled in England before being shipped back into Wales.
The security of the contract has sparked investment – with support from the Welsh government – into a £20m bottling facility certified to supply supermarkets, the only one of its kind in the country.
Jobs in the community
Construction of the 3,000m2 liquid bottling centre was announced in 2021 and has the capacity to bottle 60 million litres of milk in its initial 12-18 month phase. Pembrokeshire Creamery expects the facility to create 80 jobs for the local community.
Mark McQuade, managing director at Pembrokeshire Creamery, said: “We are very excited to have partnered with Lidl to supply their stores across Wales with milk from Welsh dairy cows, that has been bottled right here in Wales.
“The partnership will deliver products from farm to shelf in a more efficient way, removing the need for Welsh milk to be sent to England for bottling, before coming back to Wales.”
Welsh produce
Pembrokeshire Creamery’s products will join Lidl’s existing range of Welsh produce, which includes bread, butter, yoghurt, eggs, lamb and beef.
Lidl GB chief commercial officer Richard Bourns added: “Our partnership with Pembrokeshire Creamery is testament to our commitment to offer Welsh shoppers the very best in homegrown food and drink.
“At Lidl we take pride in championing local producers, and this contract marks a significant milestone for the Welsh dairy sector, whilst also supporting the local economy in Pembrokeshire.”
Meanwhile, Lidl is to invest £500m in British pork in a bid to address sector-wide challenges and improve margins for farmers.
