AS PART of its 25th anniversary in Scotland, retailer Aldi is launching a gourmet burger made using one of the world’s most expensive meats – but at just £3.49 per pack, the Specially Selected Scotch Wagyu Gourmet Burgers, released in partnership with Scotbeef, will give its customers the chance to enjoy this famous beef without breaking the bank.

The premium PGI-certified Scotch Wagyu burgers will be available in all 86 stores across Scotland from this month.

To be classified as ‘Wagyu’, the meat must originate from one of four traditional Japanese cattle breeds; Japanese Black, Japanese Brown, Japanese Shorthorn and Japanese Polled. Aldi’s new burgers are produced from traditional Japanese cattle breeds all born and reared in Scotland.

Group buying director Graham Nicolson said: “This launch is part of our wider commitment to supporting the Scotch Beef industry by working closely with Scotbeef to supply our customers with the highest quality Scotch meat at everyday low prices.”

The announcement follows NFU Scotland’s ‘shelf-watch’ supermarket survey, which revealed that Aldi was the strongest supporter of Scottish Beef with 96% of beef stocked being Scotch Beef PGI certified.

Scotbeef's national account manager, Nick Watkin, commented: “We are incredibly proud to work in partnership with Aldi to meet the growing consumer demand for premium quality Scotch beef. The new Scotch Wagyu burgers reflect the retailer’s commitment to supporting the future of the Scotch beef and Scottish red meat industries.”