Supermarket says more than 2,500 British farms will have long-term deals by 2027
Sainsbury’s has expanded its long-term partnership model to 62 British berry farms, agreeing new five-year contracts with Angus Soft Fruit, Chambers, Soft Fruits Direct, J.O. Sims and Dyson Farming.
The retailer said the move marked a significant extension of its long-term agreements, following similar commitments already in place across categories including pork, poultry and dairy.
By 2027, more than 2,500 British farms will be backed by long-term contracts, Sainsbury’s said, representing over £5 billion of committed investment and securing 3.1 million tonnes of homegrown fresh food.
The expanded model will secure products across key areas including carrots, mushrooms, milk and chicken, with the goal of helping ensure stability and resilience across the supply chain at a time when operating costs, climate pressures and global instability continue to impact farmers.
Soft fruit has typically relied on short-term, seasonal agreements, Sainsbury’s noted, and the new long-term partnerships aim to give growers the security they need to invest in their future, including in sustainability and innovation.
Referencing its ongoing approach to longer commitments, the retailer pointed out that several existing partnerships are already helping to deliver impact for suppliers and customers, including the agreement it signed with Monaghan Mushrooms in 2025.
The partnership has already enabled Sainsbury’s to be the first supermarket in the UK to deliver conventional mushrooms grown without peat, it said.
“Good food is something people depend on every day. In uncertain times our focus is on keeping food great value for customers while giving farmers the reassurance and certainty they need to plan ahead,” said Sainsbury’s chief executive Simon Roberts.
“We’re proud to lead the way on long-term farming partnerships and cost-of-production models, with some of the longest in UK retail, backed by billions of pounds of committed investment. When farmers know what we’ll buy, at what price and for how long, they can plan, invest and keep producing the great-tasting, responsibly sourced British food our customers trust.
“By expanding these long-term agreements across more of our meat, dairy, fruit and veg, we’re backing British and Irish farming for the future and bringing more homegrown food to our customers. This is how we protect quality, value and provenance in an uncertain world and how we help secure the future of good food for all of us.”
