Lidl Ireland has announced it has broken the €2 billion spend mark in procuring goods and services from Irish businesses in 2025 – anincrease of €337 million (or 20%) on last year – according to the retailer’s latest annual Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report which details Lidl’s growing support of indigenous businesses.
Ireland’s fastest growing supermarket retailer, according to retail analysts Kantar, now supports a growing network of more than 1,800 producers and business partners across the island of Ireland which reflects the retailer’s sustained growth over the last 12 months, reaching new heights with market share of 13.7% and attracting even more shoppers with its brand promise to provide the highest quality, locally sourced produce at market-leading value.
According to the report, Lidl Ireland procured €1.4 billion worth of goods from the Irish agrifood sector in 2025 – up €167 million (or 13%) on 2024 – and boosted its spend with Irish business partners by 40% year-on-year, procuring a further €595 million worth of services.
With a firm commitment to provide Irish producers with unrivalled access to international markets, Lidl continued to showcase the best of Irish produce on the world stage through its expansive global store network in 2025. More than €404 million of produce from Irish suppliers was exported to Lidl stores across the UK, EU and USA, an increase of 12.5% on 2024 figures.
Welcoming the results of the Lidl Ireland’s Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon T.D. said:
“Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates Lidl’s impact in Ireland and affirms their commitment to Irish business and the local economy. Breaking the €2 billion procurement mark from Irish suppliers is a milestone achievement. I look forward to their continued support for agri-food producers and wider business partners who continue to benefit from this ever increasing investment.”
Launching the new report findings, Robert Ryan, CEO, Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said:
“Over the last 12 months, Lidl Ireland has achieved phenomenal market share growth and welcomed more than 1.5 million weekly shoppers across our doors. For us, a key driver of success is our longstanding relationships with Irish suppliers, and it’s no surprise to see that our record market share growth to 13.7% in Ireland is also matched with our growing investment into Irish agri-food businesses.
In just four years, we’ve more than doubled our spend with Irish producers and our record €2 billion spend in 2025 affirms our commitment to our valued suppliers and business partners. Not only is this investment a huge driver of local economic growth, but it enables thousands of businesses across the country to grow, develop and enjoy success.
As we continue this momentum, growing our Irish supplier network has never been more important. We’re very much doubling down on our investment and prioritising local sourcing of high quality, nutritious and great tasting food at market-leading value, which customers can expect when they shop at Lidl.
Not only are we home to the ‘World’s Best Steak’, but we stand over the quality of all of our products. With many of these sourced locally from incredible award-winning Irish suppliers – from beef to bread to milk and cheese, fruit and veg and beyond – we’re very proud to fly the flag for Irish producers and utilise our reach and extensive international network to drive these businesses to further success on the global stage.”
Lidl Ireland’s continued investment in growing its Irish supplier network and exporting Irish produce across the globe has had a profound impact not only on local agri-food producers, but in placing Ireland on the world map for quality food. In November, Lidl’s own-brand Irish grass-fed steak, produced in partnership with Waterford-based Dawn Meats, was named ‘World’s Best Steak’ at the World Steak Challenge, earning global recognition for its great quality and taste, available across all 190 Lidl stores in Ireland.
One of the standout export contracts awarded by Lidl Ireland in 2025 was to longstanding supplier Keohane’s Seafoods which saw the West-Cork seafood company reel in an expanded supply deal worth €30 million for a new range of premium ready-to-eat products alongside its fresh and frozen fish range, with export to Lidl stores across Europe, including Germany, France, Switzerland & the Canary Islands.
Smaller producers also felt the benefit of Lidl’s national reach and investment, securing promotional listings with the retailer which enabled some of the country’s most unique and innovative products to cross the county line and make their way onto the shelves of Ireland’s leading discount retailer. This included the iconic cult-classic drink Football Special, made by McDaid’s in Ramelton, which scored three further promotional listings with Lidl Ireland in the last year, significantly expanding its reach across the island of Ireland from its home in Co. Donegal.
Alongside its established supplier network, Lidl Ireland is committed to supporting small and medium sized home-grown businesses through its industry-leading Kickstart Supplier Development Programme, supported by Bord Bia. Now in its milestone tenth year, the programme continues to champion innovation and enterprise, supporting local producers to realise their business potential.
Since its launch in 2017, Lidl has invested more than €42 million in supporting over 300 Irish businesses across the island of Ireland through the Kickstart programme. Last year, 25 local Irish producers benefitted from the programme which saw 46 products showcased on Lidl’s shelves across the island of Ireland. Championing local Irish producers crafting artisan products from their kitchen, the Kickstart programme has boosted dozens of suppliers to phenomenal success, with participants like Fused by Fiona securing full listings and becoming permanent fixtures in Lidl stores across the island of Ireland.