Discounter has a 20-year contract in place with Kent-based topfruit grower
Aldi has sold around 30,000 tonnes of British apples over the past year – equivalent to one in five of all apples sold in the UK – just over 12 months after signing its landmark 20-year partnership with key supplier AC Goatham & Son.
The supermarket is now forecasting an even bigger year in 2026, when it expects to sell 32,000 tonnes.
As well as favourable growing conditions, Aldi attributed this year’s success to its long-term investment in British orchards. Its 20-year partnership with AC Goatham means the discounter hopes to achieve availability of homegrown apples in store for 52 weeks of the year.
AC Goatham has supplied Aldi with a variety of apples and pears since 2016 and was announced last year as Aldi’s sole supplier of British apples as part of a £750 million investment.
Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi, said: “This summer has been excellent for growing apples and, thanks to our near-two-decade partnership with AC Goatham & Son, we’re seeing the benefits of sustained investment in British produce.
“That long-term confidence means it’s our ambition to stock British apples all year long, and we hope to achieve this for the 2025/26 season with the support of AC Goatham.”
Ross Goatham, managing director of AC Goatham & Son, added: “This season has been one of the strongest we’ve seen in recent years, thanks to near-perfect growing conditions and continued investment across our orchards.
“Our long-term partnership with Aldi has given us the confidence to keep planting, modernising and investing in technology – ensuring we can supply even more British apples for even more of the year.”
Aldi said it spent £14bn with UK suppliers in 2024 as it continued to champion British businesses. Earlier this year, the supermarket also reaffirmed its commitment to its existing British sourcing standards regardless of any international trade deals.
