Lidl boost for UK produce in Europe

Discount supermarket Lidl might be known for bringing bargain bratwurst to the UK, but the German chain is enjoying its own Brexit boost after exporting £300m worth of British goods across Europe.

Lidl has taken advantage of the weaker pound and ramped up its shipments of British produce including cheese from the West Country, chutney and Scotch whisky to its stores across Europe.

Retail analysts have claimed that Lidl’s UK business would be hurt by rising import costs as a result of the sterling slump and assumed it imports the majority of produce from the Continent.

Yet top company sources have revealed that 70pc of the supermarket’s produce, particularly its meat and vegetables, comes from the UK.

Morrisons and the University of Leeds recently revealed that only 52pc of the food we eat is grown in this country. Lidl is expected to use cost savings on its refurbishment programme to offset currency costs, rather than attempt to increase its prices in the fiercely competitive grocery market.

The supermarket chain controls 4.5pc of the UK grocery market.