NFU Scotland is celebrating after a secret shopper investigation found that virtually all lamb on sale in Scotland’s supermarkets in peak season is of Scottish or British origin.

A ‘shelfwatch’ investigation of supermarkets, carried out by NFUS members and staff across the country between 22nd and 23rd August revealed that 97% of lamb on sale in Scotland’s major retailers was domestically produced. Secret shoppers reported that all lamb being sold in the Lidl and Aldi stores surveyed was Scotch, and NFUS noted that Tesco appears to have upped its purchasing of Scottish lamb since the last shelf watch investigation.

On Wednesday, the union said that the results of its survey, in which 850 packs of lamb were examined, suggest that supermarkets have been engaging with farmers, but called on supermarket  buyers to try and extend the Scotch lamb buying season. Of the 14 supermarkets visited, only Asda and Tesco stores in Edinburgh and Linwood were stocking lamb produced in New Zealand.

Commenting on Wednesday, NFUS’ Livestock Committee Chairman Charlie Adam said, “Scottish shoppers want to buy tasty Scotch lamb and these results demonstrate the positive progress that is being made in making Scotch Lamb more widely available in Scottish supermarkets.

“Scotch Lamb continues to be exclusively available in Morrisons, Aldi and Lidl all year-round and that is welcome support for our farmers and crofters. However, the substantial increase in the amount of Scotch lamb available in the Tesco stores surveyed is noteworthy and reassuring as peak season approaches.”

Mr Adam added, “While the majority of fresh lamb being sold in Asda and Waitrose in Scotland was produced in the UK, it was hard to find any which was labelled as Scotch.  We would like to see more done by these supermarket chains to ensure Scotch Lamb is available and clearly labelled in Scottish stores.

“Overall, to find that 97 percent of the lamb in Scottish supermarket stores is home-produced, with the vast majority labelled as Scotch, is a fantastic boost to the Scottish sheep sector at the busiest time of the year.  It provides a fantastic platform from which to encourage all retailers to build their commitment to Scotch.”