Scottish pork partnership to help grow in-store sales

Aldi Scotland and Scottish Food manufacturer Browns Food are increasing the amount of Scottish pork on supermarket shelves.

In recent years, Scottish pork production has been significantly disrupted by Covid and Brexit. This has caused prices to fall below the cost of production. Cheap imports have further exacerbated this.

Browns Food Group – one of Scotland’s major manufacturers of quality meat and poultry – is celebrating more than 10 years of partnership with Aldi Scotland as they extend their commitment to the Scottish pork industry.

The two businesses have worked together to reinforce their commitment to Specially Selected Pork.

They want to reassure farmers and consumers that Scottish pork will be readily available on every Aldi shelf in Scotland.

Browns operates from seven manufacturing sites and has recently acquired Quality Pork Processors Ltd, Scotland’s largest pork processing plant, and family-run Robertson’s Fine Food.

This has led them to centralise their supply chain within Scotland to strengthen the pork processing industry.

It also reduces food miles through improved logistics and closer welfare management.

Aldi has recently been revealed as the top supermarket in Scotland for stocking the most Scottish produce.

This was announced in February by the National Farmers Union Scotland, which released the results from its largest-ever survey of Scottish supermarket shelves.

The results showed Aldi was the only retailer to stock 100% Specially Selected Pork.

Aldi also had the highest percentage of Scottish products across eggs, chicken, vegetables, cheese, and butter.

Roderic Bruce, of the Scottish pig farmers’ cooperative, said: “We are delighted Aldi is continuing its long-standing support for Specially Selected Pork.

“This is the only brand that guarantees the pork is from Scotland.”

Wayne Godfrey, CEO of Browns Food Group, said: “As champions of Scottish Pork, Aldi’s commitment and encouragement has supported our supply chain.

“Its accreditation by QMS ensures the highestwelfare product reaches the consumer’s plate.

“Our recent acquisitions demonstrate our deep commitment to a Scottish pork industry and provide us with the opportunity to process high-welfare local pork for our own sites as well as for retail, food service, and wholesale channels.

“We hope our work with Aldi inspires other supermarkets to follow suit and commit 100% to Scottish pork on their shelves.”

SUPPORT: Browns Food’s processing facility at Kirkconnel in Dumfries and Galloway.