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KILKENNY-BASED IVERK PRODUCE WINS NEW €100M DEAL WITH ALDI IRELAND

Aldi Ireland has agreed a new €100M five-year deal with Kilkenny-based Iverk Produce to supply all of Aldi’s 150 Irish stores with its 100% Irish grown and packed potatoes.

Iverk Produce has partnered with Aldi since 1999 and currently supplies Aldi with Irish grown potatoes and carrots. As part of this contract extension, Iverk will supply 24,000 tonnes of locally-grown potatoes to Aldi annually. The producer is now responsible for supplying 75% of Aldi’s range of Irish Rooster, Maris Piper, Maritiema, Kerr Pinks, Golden Wonder’s and Baby Potatoes.

Founded by the O’Shea family in 1830 along the river Suir, Iverk Produce is one of the largest suppliers of fresh fruit and vegetables in Ireland. Based in Piltown, Co. Kilkenny, Iverk works with over 50 local growing partners and now employs 150 people full time with a further 35 part time staff.

As a result of its contract with Aldi, Iverk Produce will have the security to invest in a new state-of-the-art packhouse, which will bring all their existing lines into a fully automated packhouse with new racking, fridges and an optical sorter that will allow for future growth and development.

Welcoming the new contract, John Curtin, Aldi Ireland Group Buying Director said: “Iverk has supplied our Irish stores for more than 20 years and we are delighted to further extend our partnership for another five.  Aldi is committed to supporting Irish growers so our customers can enjoy the very best vegetables.”

James O’Shea, Iverk Produce added: “We are delighted to have agreed a new contract with Aldi. This is a massive boost for both our staff and growers in this difficult climate we find ourselves in. Working with Aldi has given us the security to expand and invest in our business and we look forward to working with Aldi for many years to come.”

Aldi is committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores.  Currently working with over 330 Irish food and drink producers, Aldi spent €1 billion with its Irish suppliers in 2021. It has invested more than €3M in its Grow with Aldi supplier development programme since 2018, which offers up-and-coming artisan Irish food and drink producers the chance to have their products listed in Aldi’s 150 stores.