A Kent fruit farm has signed a 20-year deal with a major supermarket worth a staggering £750 million.
Family-owned AC Goatham & Son, headquartered in Rochester but with orchards across the county, has penned the long-term agreement with budget retailer Aldi.
It cements an existing relationship which has seen the fruit farm provide apples and pears to the supermarket since 2016.
Last year, it was revealed as Aldi’s sole supplier of British apples. It is estimated it already supplies around 250m apples and pears to Aldi stores each year.
Part of the agreement will see the introduction of the ‘Aldi Orchard’ - a 200-acre plot on New Green Farm in Gravesend. It will grow a mix of Gala and Braeburn apples for sale through the chain’s stores. It will also plant an additional 100 acres per year of apple trees exclusively for the supermarket.
Ross Goatham, managing director of AC Goatham & Son, said: “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.”
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, added: “This new 20-year deal represents a £750m investment in British farming and demonstrates our long-term commitment to championing British produce.”
