Pembrokeshire Creamery secures supply deal with Lidl

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.