Morrisons has launched a new trial to support farmers by underwriting 100 percent of the growing crop costs.
The trial will help British farmers mitigate the cost and weather pressures that come from the peaks and troughs of the season, including field rent fertiliser cost and gives farmers greater financial security with Morrisons shouldering all the risk.
Crops are currently being grown on three potato farms and one carrot farm, with the first produce from these farms due to hit shelves before the year's end and into 2024. If successful, Morrisons hopes to roll out this scheme to more farms later next year.
Morrisons already support farmers by buying whole crops and picking out any fruit or veg that is perfectly fine to eat but has a quirky shape or surprising size for its Naturally Wonky range.
Launched in 2015, Morrisons Naturally Wonky fruit and veg helps to minimise food waste in the field and offers affordable produce to customers. It also gives farmers an alternative route to market. The range includes 24 wonky varieties, and 27,000 tonnes of fruit and vegetables were sold this way in 2022.
Gareth Cosford, Senior Buying Manager for Root Vegetables at Morrisons, said that as British farming's biggest direct customer, Morrisons understood the impact that higher costs continue to have on farmers. Therefore, the retailer's trial scheme allows them to take all the risk of growing the crop away from farmers and support farmers to grow the best British produce that Morrisons customers know and love.
Participating farms include Naish Farms Ltd., which grows potatoes for Morrisons.
Andrew Nash, Director at Naish Farms Ltd., said Morrisons already buy the farm's whole crop of potatoes, taking the top-quality and also misshapen or oversized ones and making them available to customers as part of their naturally wonky range to maximise the farm's return and offering the best value to their customers.
"In farming, there are ups and downs throughout the season. For us, we are seeing greater weather challenges that may impact our crops, and by being part of this new Morrisons trial, they're underwriting our growing costs to cushion us from the associated risks and provide supply security so that we can focus on growing the very best potatoes for their customers," said Nash.
Morrisons is British farming's biggest direct supermarket customer and works directly with over 2,700 farmers and growers all year round to ensure customers can purchase products of the highest quality.
