Tesco strengthens commitment to Northern Ireland with 138 local suppliers and 100% locally sourced Own Brand fresh beef, pork, milk and eggs
Tesco Northern Ireland has reinforced its long-standing commitment to local farmers and producers, more than doubling the number of NI suppliers in the past three years. Today, 138 NI-based suppliers offer over 1,600 locally sourced product lines across the region.
Over the past year alone, Tesco NI has welcomed nine new local supplier partners, including OatCo Superfuel and local butchers K&G McAtamney, helping bring high-quality food from Northern Ireland to customers.
100% NI protein sourcing
Tesco NI prioritises local sourcing across key categories, with 100% of Tesco Own Brand fresh beef, pork, milk and eggs sold in its NI stores sourced from Northern Ireland suppliers.
All Tesco Finest Burger and Steak lines are now prepared with Aberdeen Angus beef, produced locally by Doherty & Gray in Ballymena. Other main suppliers across the Province include Linden Foods in Dungannon, Moy Park in Craigavon and Karro Food in Cookstown.
In dairy, cooperative Dale Farm supplies 100% of Tesco NI’s own label fresh cow’s milk, working with around 1,200 local farmers across seven sites in Northern Ireland. Tesco NI also sources 100% of its eggs locally through partnerships with Skea Eggs in Dungannon and Cavanagh Eggs in Newtownbutler.
Across its prepared foods ranges, Tesco NI works with 15 local suppliers, including Mash Direct in Newtownards, Cloughbane Farm in Dungannon and Big Pot Co. in Cookstown. The retailer also partners with 11 Northern Ireland breweries and 20 local distilleries.
Deep-rooted partnerships
Many of Tesco NI’s local fresh produce suppliers have been working with the retailer since its arrival in the region in 1996.
From potatoes and onions to baby leaves, turnips and Bramley apples, these trusted suppliers help feed Northern Ireland with more than 20,000 tonnes of fresh, local fruit and vegetables every year.
Recently, Tesco NI has welcomed new seasonal lines, including mushrooms from Gilfresh Produce in Loughall, onions from Milgro in Limavady and salad leaves from Lyttle Leaves in Newtownards.
Baked in NI
Tesco Northern Ireland also continues to celebrate long-lasting partnerships with local bakeries. Portadown-based Irwin’s Bakery has worked with Tesco since the retailer opened its first Northern Ireland store.
Today, over half of Tesco NI’s bakery products are sourced locally, rising to over 85% when it comes to bread products.
Recent additions include a range of chilled fresh cream cakes from Ashers Bakery in Newtownabbey, featuring products such as Swiss rolls, sticky toffee pudding, coconut fingers, custard choux buns, custard slices and Valencia slices.
Tess Osborne, Head of Fresh Foods Sourcing NI at Tesco, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our strong partnerships with local farmers and producers across Northern Ireland. More than doubling the number of NI suppliers in the past three years is a clear demonstration of our commitment to the agri-food sector here. These relationships not only ensure high-quality products for our customers but also help support local jobs, farming families and rural communities.”
Tesco NI will be at the Balmoral Show from May 13-16 at the Food NI Pavillion.
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