DISCOUNT chain Aldi has bought an extra 80 tonnes of Scottish strawberries which the firm said has helped farmers stave off a glut created by a weather-enforced late start to the season this year.
The additional volume is the equivalent to more than 6.5m strawberries.
Aldi UK MD, Julie Ashfield, said: “The recent warm weather has led to our growers needing to harvest a vast amount of their crop much later than usual.
“We always try to find ways to support them in times like this, while at the same time reducing unnecessary food waste.”
Ashfield continued: “Scottish strawberries are also typically brighter in colour and tastier compared with imported varieties, meaning our customers can enjoy more of the fruit at the best time of the year.”
Aldi plans to sell larger punnets at £2.95 per kg across its stores in Scotland and in selected stores in England and Wales. This will be in addition to its existing punnet sold nationwide at £1.39 for 400g.
This follows an agreement by Aldi to purchase 700,000 potatoes from a UK supplier that was left with a glut following a bumper crop.
Ashfield said Aldi currently stocks more than 400 products from 80 Scottish suppliers and intends to increase that in the coming year.
