Premium free-range and locally produced Scottish whole chickens will shortly be available to buy from the shelves of discount supermarket chain Aldi.
In a deal worth more than £400,000 a year, three poultry farmers from Laurencekirk, Strathaven and Kilmaurs have joined forces to secure the high-profile contract.
Trading as MGM Poultry, the three producers will supply Aldi with 2,500 Scottish reared and slaughtered chickens each week.
According to poultry producer Robert Morris, who forms a third of the MGM partnership, the deal has been in the pipeline for much of the last year.
“Aldi recognised the quality of our produce,” said Mr Morris.
He said the annual contract “will provide a huge boost to the sector”.
He added: “The buying team at Aldi have been great to work with and it’s exciting to see our product on the shelves across stores in Scotland.”
According to Richard Holloway, managing director for the supermarket chain in Scotland, the deal strengthens Aldi’s commitment to the provision of quality local produce.
“Working with local suppliers is very important to our brand.
“Being able to forge close, direct relationships [with producers] means we are able to give our customers the quality Scottish products they deserve at everyday low prices.
“We work with a lot of farmers around the country and are very proud to be able to stock their fresh produce.”
Commenting on the deal, NFU Scotland’s food chain relationships manager Kylie Barclay applauded Aldi for being “very supportive” during a turbulent period for the nation’s poultry producers.
“This deal highlights that the consumer demand for Scottish chicken is genuine and that there are good reasons why all retailers should have fresh Scottish chicken on their shelves.
“Aldi was very supportive as a company last winter when restructuring elsewhere created a very turbulent period of the nation’s poultry producers,” she added.
“I am grateful for its engagement both with NFU Scotland and with growers.
“We congratulate the farmers on being able to secure such a positive deal on the back of a very difficult time in the industry and hope that this underpins their plans for poultry production well into the future.”