Waitrose commits 100 per cent of own-label to British dairy

From September the supermarket will only use home produced dairy ingredients for its own-brand yoghurts, dairy ice-cream, milk, cream, cheddar and butter. Own-label products make up nearly half of Waitrose’s total dairy sales.

Jane Hills, Waitrose dairy buyer, said the commitment backed up the retailer’s dedication to British dairy which began ten years ago with the Waitrose Farmers’ Milk Scheme.

“Through establishing the Milk Scheme, we have been able to secure the long-term supply of top quality milk for our customers and ensure reinvestment in each of our farmer’s businesses. 

“Producers are rewarded for achieving the high standards expected, which has given them confidence for the future,” she said.

She added essential Waitrose milk sales had defied the sector recession with an increase of 4 per cent year on year.

“The Waitrose dairy group has expanded its milk production at a time when industry volumes have been in decline, helping to sustain the expansion of Waitrose branches across the country,” she said.

Sixty farmers are part of the Waitrose Dairy Farmers Milk Scheme where farmers are paid a premium on their milk in return for achieving high standards of production.  

In a virtuous cycle, lauded by many industry pundits, over £18 million has been reinvested into Waitrose dairy farms over the past decade.

According to Kite Consulting, investment on Waitrose dairy farms averaged 3.2 pence per litre in the 12 months up to March 2008, which is 82 per cent higher than the national average.  

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