Today, M&S announces that it is extending its commitment to British lamb and beef farming with a £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 all 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% lower carbon footprint vs standard beef.
Longer term contracts give suppliers the confidence to invest in the latest technology and methods to maintain M&S’s leading quality: Dunbia plan to open new salt drying chambers exclusive to M&S, and ABP will partner with M&S to invest in the latest state of the art equipment used for packaging and cutting meat and streamlined production lines.
Alex Freudmann, managing director of M&S Food: “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. 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.”
Trevor, M&S Select beef farmer, said: “A decade long agreement sends a strong message in support of British farmers: Long term stability is essential if we’re going to keep improving our businesses and planning for the next generation. M&S has always been a retailer we trust to support producers, and this contract reinforces that commitment in a way that really makes a difference on the ground.”
Michael Doran, managing director of Dunbia, said: “Securing this new 10‑year strategic partnership with M&S represents a significant milestone for Dunbia and a strong endorsement of the quality, capability, and commitment of our entire team. This agreement strengthens our ability to support the network of dedicated British farmers who are central to our supply chain. 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.”
Kevin Cahill, CEO of ABP UK, said: “We’re delighted to continue our long-standing partnership with M&S Food, and it is testament to our product quality and commitment to customer service that this will continue for the next decade. This long-term agreement will enable us to invest in the future of the supply chain and provide greater security for our farmer suppliers in 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. M&S is backing Britain as it builds on its long-standing and industry-leading commitment to British farming.
