Six leading national retailers commit to the principles in a new Irish Horticulture Grower- Retail Charter supporting Irish growers and local produce
Supporting the sustainable availability of Irish fresh produce
Leading retailers, Aldi, Dunnes Stores, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, SuperValu/ Centra and Tesco have committed to the principles of a new Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter. Developed as part of the National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027, it marks a major industry-wide effort to support the long-term sustainability of Irish horticulture growers and the continued availability of locally grown produce for Irish consumers.
The National Strategy for Horticulture 2023-2027 committed to the development of a written charter between growers and retailers. The Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) has led on the effort to identify the key principles that underpin the Charter. Steered by the Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF) sub-committee comprising of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Teagasc, Bord Bia and the IFA, and chaired by grower representative Orla McManus, the Horticulture Grower-Retail Charter seeks to strengthen relationships across the horticulture supply chain and create a more resilient future for Irish growers, retailers and consumers.
In 2025, the Irish horticulture sector contributed an estimated €652million in farm gate value and supported more than 18,000 families through employment in primary production and the wider supply chain. The Charter aims to encourage a trading environment that supports the long-term production and availability of Irish-grown fruit, vegetables and horticultural produce in response to the challenges faced by the sector including climate change, increasing costs, and major geopolitical disruption.
Recent Bord Bia Fresh Produce research found that the retail environment has the biggest potential for impact on growth with 36% of consumers saying that promotions and loyalty incentives motivate their fresh produce shopping habits, underlining the important role retailers play in supporting and promoting fresh produce.
The Horticulture Grower- Retail Charter establishes five key principles intended to support a stronger and more sustainable horticulture sector:
- Fair and consistent engagement between retailers and growers
- Fair and unambiguous promotion of Irish produce
- Greater focus on long-term relationships across the supply chain
- Sustainable approaches to cost inputs that reflect the realities and challenges of production.
- Collaboration to reduce food loss and waste
By committing to these principles, retailers, growers and industry stakeholders aim to strengthen confidence across the sector, encourage long-term planning and investment, and help ensure consumers continue to have access to high-quality Irish-grown produce.
Following agreement of the principles in this voluntary charter, the charter has been submitted to and is subject to review by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC ) for its consideration.
Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Forestry, Farm Safety and Horticulture, said:
“I am delighted to welcome the agreement and publication of the principles in the Horticulture Grower- Retail Charter; it marks an important milestone in the delivery of progress under Key Strategic Action 2 of the National Horticulture Strategy. Commitment to these principles demonstrates practical action and partnership in supporting our growers and the long-term sustainability of Irish Horticulture which is particularly important in light of the significant challenges experienced by the sector currently. Every-time we choose Irish, in-season fruit and vegetables, we are supporting local families, strengthening rural communities, reducing our carbon footprint and supporting import substitution. The principles in this Charter will help make those choices easier and more visible for consumers.”
Orla McManus, Chairperson, Horticultural Industry Forum (HIF), said:
“Agreement on the Irish Horticulture Grower-Retailer Charter principles is an important step towards strengthening the position of Irish growers and supporting the long-term competitiveness, sustainability and resilience of the sector. Success will ultimately be measured by stronger and more transparent trading relationships, greater recognition of the real costs and risks of production, and the confidence for growers to invest and plan for the future.
Through the HIF, we will continue to work collaboratively across the supply chain, keeping grower viability at the centre of implementation and ensuring the Charter translates into meaningful action that helps secure the future of Irish horticulture and locally grown produce.”
Industry stakeholders have committed to working collaboratively through the HIF to support implementation of the Charter and help secure a sustainable future for Irish horticulture.