NFU Scotland today published its Year In Review: ShelfWatch 2025-26 annual report showing that while some retailers demonstrate strong support for Scottish produce, on average only 26% of own-label products on supermarket shelves in Scotland are Scottish. Across 2025, NFU audited more than 80,000 own-label products, with a further 20,000 assessed in January 2026 alone – a scale of analysis that provides a robust base. This analysis identified some disparity between retailers’ stated commitments to local sourcing and Scottish farmers and crofters.
The report shows that Aldi continue to champion Scottish produce with 65% Scottish products. When looking at combined Scottish and UK sourcing, the Co-op has set the benchmark, ranking number one for combined Scottish and UK products – with Scottish labelled products make up almost one in three of their products. Other insights include reliance on imports – with Co-op and Aldi under 2% imported goods while Asda at 23% and Tesco at 16%.
Highlighting what’s possible, Nicole Tallant, Co-op’s Director of Commercial, said: “Supporting UK agriculture is more important than ever for us, our members and customers. We’re proud to champion home grown and locally sourced products across our stores as part of our long term commitment to sourcing all our own-brand fresh and frozen meat, fresh milk and cream from British farms, and pleased that our sourcing of British grown produce, which includes Scottish blueberries, potatoes and carrots, has been recognised by NFU Scotland’s ShelfWatch.”
Sandy Milne, an NFUS member and a farmer representative on the Co-op Dairy Group Committee and farms in Angus, Scotland, said: “I’ve supplied Co-op with milk for a number of years and have seen firsthand the retailer’s long-term support for Scottish farmers bringing goods like milk from my farm to shelves across Scotland, for which I have been very proud to be a part of.”
On the significance of Scottish producers, the Tallant added: “Scotland is critical to our success - our suppliers deliver some of the highest-quality food in the world, and we are proud to make that visible to our members and shoppers.”
NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said:
“ShelfWatch is more than a snapshot of supermarket shelves, it’s a lens into the real choices retailers make and the value they place on Scottish farmers and crofters. Where retailers like Aldi and Co-op lead, it proves high domestic sourcing is possible, even in a competitive market. But the gaps we still see in pork, lamb and processed lines show that many suppliers are not getting the recognition or returns they deserve.
ShelfWatch gives us the evidence to challenge performance, support fair pricing, and encourage transparency that benefits farmers, consumers, and the wider Scottish and UK economy, while enabling broader conversations about sustainable practices and market improvements.”
The findings reinforce NFU Scotland’s call for all retailers to adopt a Scottish-first approach, actively promote local produce, ensure fair pricing, deliver clear country-of-origin labelling, and end the co-mingling of Scottish and imported products.
With ShelfWatch now in its third year, it’s value as a model for transparency and accountability across UK retail is becoming clearer with each report. By auditing what is actually on shelf, publishing the findings, and using the data to engage constructively with retailers and policymakers, the initiative shows how evidence can drive action.
As shoppers increasingly scrutinise provenance and demand local sourcing, ShelfWatch demonstrates that transparency is not optional; it’s a commercial advantage. ShelfWatch is rooted in Scotland, but its implications are national. Transparent sourcing, fair returns and clear labelling are not optional extras – they are essential to building a resilient UK food system.
Notes to Editor
ShelfWatch is NFU Scotland’s flagship initiative to monitor the sourcing, visibility, and labelling of Scottish produce across eight major UK retailers. The report focuses on the January 2026 audit, which reviewed over 20,000 products across 78 stores, due to changes in methodology year on year comparisons are not possible. In 2025, NFU Scotland independently audited more than 95,000 own-label SKUs over four audit periods. The audit tracks own-label sourcing across key categories, including meat, dairy, and fresh produce.
The ShelfWatch logo, a headshot of President Andrew Connon, and a headshot of Nicole Tallant, Co-op’s Director of Commercial, are attached. The full report is available
here
Key Retailer Asks from ShelfWatch
- Adopt a Scottish-first sourcing policy.
- Promote Scottish produce prominently, both in-store and online.
- Ensure fair pricing and end damaging deep discounting practices.
- Deliver clear and transparent country-of-origin labelling.
- End the co-mingling of Scottish and imported products.
Key Category Findings
Nearly 80% of eggs audited were Scottish; Aldi, Co-op, and Lidl stocked 100% Scottish eggs. Over 80% of fresh milk was Scottish, with retail prices remaining steady despite falling farmgate prices. Scottish potatoes accounted for more than 50% of those audited, up 11% on last year, with Aldi achieving 100% Scottish sourcing. Less than 5% of own-label pork was Scottish, with imports dominating the category. Lamb imports increased sharply. Mixed-origin labelling continues to cause confusion for shoppers.
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Contact Megan Williams on 07920 018619