Supermarket in search for local food producers
MORRISONS is starting a search for local food producers. It follows the release of a new report which calls for the UK to be more self-sufficient in food production and new consumer research showing a growing appetite from British shoppers for more local food.
The move has been welcomed by the Farmers’ Union of Wales (FUW).
The Nation’s Local Foodmakers will see Morrisons recruit more than 200 new suppliers from England, Scotland and Wales in the first year.
Morrisons is inviting foodmakers to pitch for their place in its supermarkets via a series of 12 regional events starting in Yorkshire on March 14.
The move comes as a new report, published last week by experts on global food issues led by Professor Tim Benton from the University of Leeds, says that only half (52%) of food eaten in the UK comes from our farmers.
In the British Food report, Prof Benton says that in light of uncertainties globally it makes increasing sense to build up a stronger local food sector here in the UK.
He calls on British retailers, producers and customers to recognise the wider benefits of supporting UK food making and production.
FUW deputy president Brian Thomas said: “This acknowledgement by Morrisons of the dangers we face in terms of food security and being so reliant on food imports during times of global instability is extremely welcome, and the UK Government should also acknowledge this during its negotiations over trade deals and in terms of its local procurement policies. We welcome Morrisons’ commitment to UK food and urge other retailers to follow suit.
“Morrisons’ work in terms of producing this document and their commitments to increasing local and UK procurement is in part a response to the risks posed by Brexit to their own business in terms of losing important supply chains and the impacts of exchange rates and that now is the time for supermarkets to better connect with farmers.”
Mr Thomas added that unfortunately for Wales, the greatest opportunities in the short term are for arable and horticultural producers which account for only about 5% of Wales’ agricultural land, but there are potentially other beneficiaries such as dairy and beef producers.
He said that in the longer term it would be beneficial to see supermarkets like Morrisons encouraging those with land which is productive enough and who used to grow crops and vegetables half a century ago to go back to doing this, but it would have to make sense economically and will need significant investment.
“We must not forget the importance of our export markets and the complexity of food chains – those at greatest risk from losing export markets are sheep producers, due to the seasonality of production,” said Mr Thomas.
“We have lots at certain times and need to export it and our reliance on exporting cuts we don’t tend to eat to continental markets in order to make up the value of animals. Some 30-40% of lamb is exported to mainland EU – so a trade deal with the EU is essential for Wales’ farmers.”
Last week, NFU Cymru called on Morrisons to adhere to its 100% British lamb policy when sourcing all of its own products. The retailer is running a promotion of Australian and New Zealand lamb legs branded as Market Deals – owned by Morrisons.
NFU Cymru livestock board chairman Wyn Evans said: “Morrisons has traditionally been a strong backer of the British and Welsh livestock industries and much of its messaging to shoppers is centred around being 100% British on all fresh meat.
“We appreciate that Morrisons purchases around 750,000 lambs every year, but in our view it’s a real shame that the retailer is now acting contrary to its commitments to consumers.
“We also have concerns that these imported products are being placed near Welsh and British messaging at the point of sale, potentially leaving shoppers confused about the origin of the product they are purchasing. We want shoppers to be able to buy British food confidently.
“There is obviously a demand for British and PGI Welsh lamb so I would urge Morrisons to be clear to customers about what its commitments are.”