M&S has announced a £2.1bn investment to extend its commitment to sourcing British lamb and beef through two decade-long contracts with ABP and Dunbia.

This deal will see the retailer work with 3,500 M&S Select Farmers to supply British lamb and beef to foodhalls.

The new agreements will secure access for the supermarket retailer all year round while protecting exclusivity across its Wagyu Gold, Aberdeen Angus Gold, and Organic ranges.

The move comes as consumer demand for beef grows, and the longer supplier contracts give farmers more confidence to invest in better technology and methods.

Dunbia plans to open new salt drying chambers exclusive to M&S, and ABP will partner with the retailer to invest in 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.

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“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.”

M&S is launching a Plan A farming strategy which runs until 2030 and is focused on British sourcing, sustainability, high standards and resilience.

This reinstates the retailer’s commitment to backing British farming and builds on its other farming partnerships.

Kevin Cahill, CEO of ABP UK: “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.”