Early payments for Morrisons suppliers to help offset coronavirus impact

Farmers, local foodmakers and other small businesses will receive early payments from the supermarket to help mitigate the potential impact of coronavirus.

Hannah Binns
News Reporter
clock • 1 min read
Early payments for Morrisons suppliers to help offset coronavirus impact

Farmers, local foodmakers and other small businesses will receive early payments from the supermarket to help mitigate the potential impact of coronavirus.

The faster payments will support the company's 1,750 farmer suppliers in dealing with cash flow problems caused by the coronavirus, such as manufacturing disruptions and staff shortages as a result of sickness.

Morrisons have also reclassified smaller 'goods for resale' suppliers as those with a Morrisons turnover of £1 million or less per annum, meaning an extra 1,000 small food businesses will qualify for the new immediate payment.

Chief executive of Morrisons, David Potts, said: "We are Britain's biggest single foodmaker and we want to be there for the smaller foodmakers, farmers and businesses that supply Morrisons.

"We're a British family business and we will be doing our best to support them through this challenging period."

Environment Secretary, George Eustice, welcomed the measures to support farmers and food producers in their ‘vital work of feeding the nation.'

He said: "We already have a highly-resilient food supply chain in this country and I am continuing to work closely with Morrisons and other retailers on their response to coronavirus.

"The Government has pledged £30 billion in this year's Budget for those affected and we have been clear that we will do whatever it takes to support people and businesses."

Morrisons will write to suppliers to inform them of the changes and plan to start processing payments this week.

Payments are expected to last until the end of May before the situation is reviewed.

More on Arable

Why there seems to be plenty of positives for oilseed rape this year

Why there seems to be plenty of positives for oilseed rape this year

Improved autumn conditions, lower pest pressure and advances in agronomy and breeding are helping rebuild confidence in oilseed rape, with growers cautiously returning to the crop after challenging seasons.

Farmers Guardian
clock 15 April 2026 • 5 min read
Recent weather break enables barley drilling progress

Recent weather break enables barley drilling progress

Catchy weather had steadied spring drilling but the recent gap has enabled growers to push forward in the field

clock 15 April 2026 • 2 min read
Letters: "Calling all growers: Your input is vital for early insight into the UK's 2026 harvest"

Letters: "Calling all growers: Your input is vital for early insight into the UK's 2026 harvest"

This week from Farmers Guardian readers: Helen Plant, senior analyst (cereals and oilseeds) at AHDB, is encouraging UK cereal and oilseed rape growers to take part in the AHDB Planting and Variety Survey to help provide accurate early insights into the 2026 harvest and support industry planning

Helen Plant
clock 14 April 2026 • 1 min read