A family-owned Kent fruit farm, which is the sole supplier of British apples for Aldi, has signed a new £750 million deal with the retailer.
The new 20-year deal will also see the introduction of the ‘Aldi Orchard’ – a 200ac plot on New Green Farm in Gravesend, which will grow a mix of Gala and Braeburn apples for Aldi stores across the country.
AC Goatham & Son has supplied Aldi with a variety of apples and pears since 2016.
Aldi said this new long-term deal will provide vital support for British farmers — assuring them of supply and helping to give them the security they need to grow and thrive.
The news follows Aldi being named 2023 Apple Retailer of the Year by British Apples and Pears Limited (BAPL) and 2023 Fresh Produce Retailer of the Year by the Fresh Produce Consortium (FPC).
AC Goatham & Son, named Supermarket Fruit and Veg Supplier of the Year at the FPC Awards 2023, said it has plans to plant an additional 100ac per year of apple trees exclusively for Aldi.
Managing director of buying at Aldi UK, Julie Ashfield, said: “We are proud to be one of the largest buyers of British apples and of our partnership with AC Goatham & Son.
“This new 20-year deal represents a £750 million investment in British farming and demonstrates our long-term commitment to championing British produce.”
AC Goatham & Son
Founded in 1947, and run by Clive Goatham and his son Ross, AC Goatham & Son supplies an estimated 250 million apples and pears to Aldi stores each year.
This is more than five times the volume it initially supplied to the supermarket in 2016.
The business has big plans for its future, including working with Aldi to extend the growing season with controlled atmosphere storage and working in partnership with the supermarket on its journey to Net Zero.
Managing director of AC Goatham & Son, Ross Goatham, said: “This is a fantastic achievement and a real testament to the work both AC Goatham & Son and Aldi have put into the agreement to have created something truly collaborative, a first for the British Top Fruit Sector.
“This gives us the confidence now to invest for the future and to grow more British apples and pears for Aldi, guaranteeing sustainability, viability and most importantly UK food security.”
