National retailers commit to supporting Irish growers 

Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu/ Centra and Tesco have committed to the principles of a new horticulture retail charter. Developed as part of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, it marks an industry-wide effort to support the long-term sustainability of Irish horticulture growers and the continued availability of locally grown produce for Irish consumers.
The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 committed to the development of a written charter between growers and retailers. The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has led on the effort to identify the key principles that underpin the charter. Steered by the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF) sub-committee comprising of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, Bord Bia and the IFA, and chaired by grower representative Orla McManus, the horticulture grower retail charter seeks to strengthen relationships across the horticulture supply chain and create a more resilient future for Irish growers, retailers and consumers.

In 2025, the Irish horticulture sector contributed an estimated €652m in farm gate value and supported more than 18,000 families through employment in primary production and the wider supply chain. The Charter aims to encourage a trading environment that supports the long-term production and availability of Irish-grown fruit, vegetables and horticultural produce in response to the challenges faced by the sector including climate change, increasing costs, and major geopolitical disruption.

Recent Bord Bia research into fresh produce found that the retail environment has the biggest potential for impact on growth with 36 per cent of consumers saying that promotions and loyalty incentives motivate their fresh produce shopping habits, underlining the important role retailers play in supporting and promoting fresh produce.

The retail charter establishes five key principles intended to support a stronger and more sustainable horticulture sector:

• Fair and consistent engagement between retailers and growers;
• Fair and unambiguous promotion of Irish produce;
• Greater focus on long-term relationships across the supply chain;
• Sustainable approaches to cost inputs that reflect the realities and challenges of production; and
• Collaboration to reduce food loss and waste.

By committing to these principles, retailers, growers and industry stakeholders aim to strengthen confidence across the sector, encourage long-term planning and investment, and help ensure consumers continue to have access to high-quality Irish-grown produce.

Following agreement of the principles, the charter has been submitted to and is subject to review by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for its consideration.