Yorkshire-based potato supplier Cockerill has announced a £1.65m investment in automation and future growth as it continues to strengthen its long-term Aldi partnership.

Cockerill has been an Aldi supplier since the supermarket first landed in the UK and currently provides shoppers with potatoes across bags and loose lines, including over 16m baking potatoes annually.

Additionally, Cockerill also produces traditional favourites such as Maris Piper, which offers a range of fresh potato varieties in 1kg and 2.5kg packs.

As the partnership grows, the volume of potatoes Cockerill supplies to Aldi has more than doubled since 2023.

Joanne Forster, account manager at Cockerill, said: “We’ve been supplying Aldi since it first launched in the UK, and it’s been fantastic to grow alongside the business.

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“As a family business, we’re incredibly proud to supply quality British potatoes to millions of Aldi customers, and we’re excited to bring our produce to even more shoppers across the country as the partnership continues to grow.”

Julie Ashfield, chief commercial officer at Aldi UK, added: “It’s fantastic to work with family businesses like Cockerill, who have been growing quality British produce for generations.

“It’s rewarding to see the business continue to invest in the local community as our partnership goes from strength to strength.”

This partnership deal has allowed Cockerill to invest £1.65m in technology as well as boost its investment in regenerative farming practices.

The business now uses cover crops alongside ongoing initiatives to decrease waste in the field and across its packing operations.