Dairy offerings at Lidl to upgrade to higher farming standards across the board
Budget supermarket chain Lidl is set to raise the bar for dairy products, with plans to transition most of its range to a husbandry level of at least 3 by the end of the year. This move, aimed at enhancing animal welfare and sustainability, follows the success of similar initiatives in its beef products.
In a statement, Lidl's purchasing manager, Christoph Graf, emphasised the company's commitment to keeping customers' needs at the forefront. He said, "We always keep the needs of our customers in mind."
The shift towards higher welfare standards will see Lidl pay farmers a premium to offset the additional costs associated with level 3 husbandry. This level requires more space and access to fresh air for animals, making the products more expensive than those produced under levels 1 and 2.
Currently, Lidl's dairy product range is exclusively sourced from German agriculture during the transition period. The company's commitment to animal welfare and sustainability is evident in its initiatives, such as the Lidl Sustainable Beef Group, which supports farmers transitioning to more sustainable practices.
While specific plans for dairy products are not yet detailed, it is likely that Lidl will focus on improving animal living conditions, reducing environmental impact, and increasing transparency for customers. This could involve practices like better housing conditions, increased access to pasture, and more humane treatment of animals.
However, Lidl's commitment to offering high-quality products at competitive prices suggests they will aim to balance these costs while maintaining affordability for consumers.
By the end of this year, Lidl aims to switch half of its chilled fresh meat products and half of its "Metzgerfrisch" brand sausage range to at least level 3. The company also claims to be the first food retailer in Germany to switch a large part of its dairy products to level 3.
Starting from 2024, Lidl has been offering only drinking milk of level 3 and higher in Germany, all of which are 100% German. Products such as Quark, fresh whipped cream, sour cream, cottage cheese, skyr, and milk will all be at least level 3. Notably, the pricing of these dairy products will remain independent of the switch to the higher husbandry level.
For many customers, animal welfare is an important purchasing criterion, and Lidl's move towards higher welfare standards is expected to be well-received. Organic products, which also adhere to higher welfare and sustainability standards, often cost more due to higher production costs than conventional products. However, Lidl's focus on affordability suggests that it will strive to make these higher welfare products accessible to all.
As Lidl continues to expand its plant-based options and support British beef producers, the company's commitment to sustainability and welfare is clear. With the transition of its dairy products, Lidl is demonstrating its dedication to making a positive impact on the environment and animal welfare.
- In light of Lidl's dedication to health-and-wellness via the enhancement of animal welfare and sustainability, the company could potentially introduce vocational training programs for farmers, emphasizing science-based practices to improve nutrition and fitness-and-exercise for livestock.
- As Lidl broadens its range of products to incorporate more sustainable options like higher welfare dairy, it could also invest in community policy initiatives to educate consumers on the importance of nutrition in maintaining a balanced diet, promoting a holistic approach to health and wellness.
