UK | M&S has extended its commitment to British lamb and beef farming with a GBP 2.1bn investment.
The investment will see two new decade-long supplier contracts with ABP and Dunbia, who together work with 3,500 M&S Select Farmers to bring British lamb and beef to Foodhalls.
The new ten-year contract secures long-term British supply for M&S year-round while protecting exclusivity across its Wagyu Gold, Aberdeen Angus Gold, and Organic ranges as customer demand for beef grows.
Aberdeen Angus Gold, launched last year, is an integrated beef standard developed in partnership with farmers using a science-led breeding programme, guaranteeing exceptional quality and high welfare at a 40 percent lower carbon footprint vs standard beef.
“M&S Food offers the best quality at great value, and it’s our British farmers who uphold our market-leading welfare standards and produce food to the quality our customers expect. But farmers face a number of challenges, and now more than ever need UK retailers to commit to sourcing from within the UK," said Alex Freudmann, Managing Director of M&S Food.
"Our long-term commitment to sourcing British fresh lamb and beef, through our partners at ABP and Dunbia, will support longer-term investments and security for farmers for years to come.”
Longer-term contracts give suppliers the confidence to invest in the latest technology and methods to maintain M&S’s leading quality. Dunbia plans to open new salt-drying chambers exclusive to M&S, and ABP will partner with M&S to invest in state-of-the-art equipment for meat packaging and cutting, as well as streamlined production lines.
Michael Doran, Managing Director of Dunbias said that securing this new ten‑year strategic partnership with M&S represents a significant milestone for Dunbia and a strong endorsement of the quality, capability, and commitment of the entire team.
"This agreement strengthens our ability to support the network of dedicated British farmers who are central to our supply chain," he said.
"Their expertise, high welfare standards, and commitment to sustainable farming underpin everything we do. This partnership allows us to deepen that collaboration, invest in their future, and build a resilient, thriving British farming sector for the years ahead.”
The M&S Plan A For Farming strategy runs to 2030 and is focused on British sourcing, sustainability, high standards, and resilience. The goal is to help farmers feel confident about the future, grow their businesses, and invest, ensuring M&S can continue delivering quality food to millions of families across the UK.
