Co-op Pledges Continued Support For British Farmers Following Autumn Budget

In the wake of the Autumn Budget, supermarket chain The Co-op has publicly reaffirmed its commitment to UK agriculture — announcing that it will continue to spend more than £700 million per year with British farmers and agricultural suppliers.

Image courtesy of The Co-op

The retailer, which already sources the vast majority of its produce from within the UK, says maintaining this level of investment is vital for ensuring resilient supply chains at a time when growers are feeling the pressure from rising costs and ongoing labour shortages.

As farming communities digest the Budget’s broader implications, particularly changes around tax and other economic pressures, The Co-op has also confirmed plans to invest around £1 billion into the UK economy over the next 12 months.

The group says this commitment is intended to support customers and businesses across the country — and importantly, to reinforce stability for agricultural suppliers who have voiced concerns about tightening margins and unpredictable market conditions.

In a letter to ministers, the retailer called on the Government to ensure farmers receive “proper support”, arguing that domestic food production must remain a national priority. Industry voices have echoed that sentiment, noting that even modest shifts in policy could influence future production decisions, particularly among smaller family-run farms.

The Co-op’s visible pledge has been welcomed as a steadying force at a challenging moment. While growers continue to assess how Budget proposals on inheritance tax and wage costs could affect their operations, reassurance from a major retailer provides a degree of confidence that demand for British produce remains strong.

For many in the sector, the message is clear: in a landscape of fluctuating policies and rising input costs, long-term retail partnerships are more important than ever. The Co-op’s stance serves as a reminder that significant players in the market still see the rooted value in supporting British farmers — and that “Buy British” remains more than just a slogan.