Major 2026 Funding Pledge Sees Morrisons Expand Support for UK Farmers Through Multi Year Agreements and Training Initiatives

Major 2026 Funding Pledge Sees Morrisons Expand Support for UK Farmers Through Multi Year Agreements and Training Initiatives

(IN BRIEF) Morrisons will invest over £1.6 billion in British agriculture in 2026, supporting more than 2,500 farmers through long-term supply agreements and development programmes. The retailer’s initiatives aim to provide financial stability, strengthen skills and sustainability across the sector, and reinforce domestic food production at a time of rising costs and uncertainty. Collaborative projects with industry partners, education providers, and farming organisations form part of a broader strategy to ensure the resilience of UK agriculture.

(PRESS RELEASE) BRADFORD, 19-Feb-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Morrisons has announced a commitment of more than £1.6 billion to British agriculture and food production in 2026, reinforcing its long-standing role as one of the UK’s largest direct supermarket customers of domestic farming.

The investment will support more than 2,500 farmers supplying produce, meat, fish, dairy, and eggs through multi-year agreements designed to provide financial certainty and enable long-term planning. The retailer’s approach emphasizes collaborative relationships with suppliers, with trading arrangements governed by the Groceries Supply Code of Practice to ensure fairness and transparency.

Morrisons’ contracts typically span several years, offering farmers clearer visibility of demand and income stability. The company has also introduced shared farming agreements for potato growers that underwrite the full cost of crop production, helping to offset risks linked to fluctuating input costs and unpredictable weather conditions.

The announcement comes at a time when many UK farmers face mounting operational pressures. Morrisons said it continues to engage with government and industry stakeholders on issues affecting the future sustainability of domestic food production and family farming.

Rami Baitiéh, Chief Executive Officer of Morrisons, emphasized the company’s intention to provide both financial backing and practical support to ensure farmers can continue producing high-quality British food. Farming Minister Angela Eagle welcomed the retailer’s sustained investment, noting its contribution to strengthening sustainable food production and supporting the long-term resilience of the agricultural sector.

Alongside direct purchasing commitments, Morrisons is delivering a range of initiatives aimed at skills development, innovation, and industry collaboration. These include the Morrisons Agriculture Directors Forum, launched in late 2025 to bring together supplier representatives to focus on shared priorities such as sustainability, animal welfare, and innovation.

The Morrisons Next Generation Farming Programme, established in 2019, provides training and mentoring to help younger farmers understand the broader supply chain, including manufacturing and retail operations. The programme was expanded in 2025 to welcome participants from across the industry, with more than 100 farmers having taken part to date.

In collaboration with National Farmers Union and Harper Adams University, Morrisons also helped launch the School of Sustainable Food & Farming to address skills shortages and promote environmentally responsible practices. Its Sustainable Farm Network now spans 38 farm groups covering over 150,000 hectares nationwide.

Customer-facing initiatives further connect shoppers with producers. The For Farmers product range has raised more than £29 million for farmers since 2015, while partnerships such as the Royal Countryside Fund’s Farm Resilience Programme provide business training for family farms. Morrisons also supports sheep farmers through export activity via its Myton Food Group and offers in-store benefits and promotional activities aimed at raising awareness of British agriculture.

Media Contact:

email: pressoffice@morrisonsplc.co.uk

SOURCE: Morrisons