Retailers commit to supporting Irish growers and local produce
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.
As part of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, six major retailers have committed to new Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter principles.
Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu/Centra and Tesco have committed to the principles of the new charter in 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.
Delivering on Key Strategic Action 2 of the national strategy to develop of a written charter between growers and retailers, the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has led the effort to identify key principles that underpin the charter.
Steered by the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF) sub-committee comprising the department, 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.
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The Horticulture Grower-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
- 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.
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 fresh produce research conducted by Bord Bia found that the retail environment has the biggest potential for impact on growth, with 36% of consumers saying that promotions and loyalty incentives motivate their fresh produce shopping habits, highlighting the important role retailers play in supporting and promoting fresh produce.
Following agreement of the principles in this voluntary charter, the charter has been submitted to and is subject to review by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) for its consideration.
Minister of state at the Department of Agriculture, with responsibility for horticulture, Niall Collins, said: “I am delighted to welcome the agreement and publication of the principles in the Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter.
"Commitment to these principles demonstrates practical action and partnership in supporting our growers and the long-term sustainability of Irish horticulture, which is particularly important in light of the significant challenges experienced by the sector currently.”
Continuing, the minister said: “Every time we choose Irish, in-season fruit and vegetables, we are supporting local families, strengthening rural communities, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting import substitution by reducing our reliance on imported produce grown overseas. The principles in this charter will help make those choices easier and more visible for consumers.”
Chairperson of the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF), Orla McManus, said the agreement is an important step towards strengthening the position of Irish growers and supporting long-term competitiveness and resilience.
“Success will ultimately be measured by stronger and more transparent trading relationships, greater recognition of the real costs and risks of production, and the confidence for growers to invest and plan for the future,” Ms McManus said.
