Discounter bought over 2mn tonnes of Spanish fruit and vegetables in the last fiscal year
Lidl bought more than 2mn tonnes of Spanish fruits and vegetables in the last fiscal year (from 1 March 2025 to 28 February 2026), a record figure for the retailer.
The discounter said 81 per cent of this was exported to the rest of Europe. According to its own data, its operations currently account for 15 per cent of all Spanish fruit and vegetable exports.
The company said the success of its sourcing strategy is down to stable relationships with farmers, livestock producers, cooperatives, and food companies.
Overall, Lidl purchased around €8.4bn worth of Spanish agri-food products last year, a 6 per cent increase on the previous year. These were sourced from over 800 domestic suppliers.
Over half of the purchase value – €4.255bn – was channelled into Lidl’s European network, which spans some 30 countries.
The growth in domestic purchasing came as Lidl continued to expand its business in Spain. The company achieved net sales of €7.641bn – a 10 per cent increase over the previous year – and holds a 7 per cent share of the Spanish food retail market.
During that year, it invested €320mn in approximately 50 projects across its retail network, including the opening of around 40 new stores, as well as renovations and modernisations of other outlets. The retailer ended the period with more than 730 stores and 14 logistics centres in Spain.
The company also posted a profit of €274mn in Spain – equivalent to 3.6 per cent of its net sales – and increased its tax contribution to €643mn, a rise of 16 per cent on the previous year.
The year also saw the creation of over 1,200 new jobs, bringing Lidl’s total workforce in Spain to more than 20,000 people. According to company data, 94 per cent of these employees hold permanent contracts.
The retailer said it plans to accelerate its expansion again this year. This includes an investment of over €440mn for more than 60 projects across its retail network, including the opening of nearly 50 new stores, as well as expansions and modernisations.
In the agri-food sector, Lidl projects that its purchases of domestic products will reach a record €9.4 bn in 2026.
