A survey of major retailers across Scotland shows a mixed level of support for Scottish produce.

Over a 48-hour period in late January, an independent research firm visited 71 stores across mainland Scotland and looked at the origins of a range of products including beef, chicken vegetables, and dairy products.

More than 15,000 products were reviewed in the Shelfwatch survey, with discount retailer Aldi coming top of the league table, while Sainsbury's was at the bottom – one of three supermarkets to have less than 10% Scottish produce on the shelves overall.

Soft fruit was not featured in the project because it is currently 100% imported due to seasonality.

READ MORE | Varied Scottish produce support revealed in ShelfWatch results

Sharing the high-level results from the Shelfwatch survey with delegates, NFUS chief executive John Davidson said; “The results from the Shelfwatch survey unveil a completely mixed bag of what is going on in shops across the country and available to Scotland’s consumers.

“While it is encouraging to see that there is strong support for Scottish and UK produce in general and examples of some retailers stocking 100% Scottish, others appear to have absolutely none on their shelves in some sectors.

“Clearly more can be done to ensure consumers are able to source more locally produce. This also begs some questions on labelling and marketing and whether consumers have full transparency of the origin.”

The Shelfwatch project will continue with another three surveys to be conducted throughout the year and all retailers involved were notified in advance.

Key results

Aldi had the largest percentage of Scottish produce overall (48.7%).

Sainsbury’s had the lowest percentage of Scottish produce overall (7.6%).

Three retailers (Asda, Tesco, and Sainsbury's) had less than 10% of Scottish products overall.

The largest percentage of other produce was in the UK.

Breaking the results down into categories:

Aldi had the largest percentage of pork, bacon, and sausages labelled as Scottish. Six retailers had no Scottish labelled pork. Most of the non-Scottish pork was UK.

Asda (33%) and Tesco (17.3%) were importing fresh pork.

Aldi, Lidl, and Morrisons had more than 70% of Scottish beef. The largest amount of beef in other stores came from the UK. Tesco and Sainsbury's had Irish

beef, the largest was Sainsbury's with 10.4%.

Lidl had the largest percentage (100%) of Scottish lamb followed by M&S with 83.6%. Two retailers (Asda, and Co-Op) had no Scottish lamb. Four retailers, Aldi, Asda, M&S, and Tesco, had imported lamb with 55% of lamb on Asda shelves imported.

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Aldi had the largest percentage (86.7%) of Scottish chicken followed by Co-Op with 73%. Two retailers, Tesco and Sainsbury's, had no Scottish chicken.

Aldi had the largest percentage (100%) of Scottish eggs, Lidl had 96.4%.

Aldi had the largest percentage (100%) of Scottish potatoes, Tesco was the lowest with 6.4%.

Aldi had the largest percentage (61.8%) of Scottish vegetables and Co-Op was the lowest at 4.8%.

M&S had the most Scottish milk (62.4%), and Tesco had the lowest (30.7%).