German-discounter Aldi has contracted Carlow mushroom producer Codd Mushrooms to supply it with €9 million worth of produce in a two-year deal.
The Tullow-based Codd Mushrooms will supply Aldi’s 133 Irish stores with 13.3 million packs of mushrooms, having first started supplying the German discounter in 2007.
The company's managing director, Leslie Codd, said the contract has helped the company develop its Carlow production facility.
“This year alone we have been able to employ an additional 10 new full-time members of staff, bringing the number on our team to 250. We now plan to continue our growth into 2020,” he said.
Aldi is in the throes of investing €160 million to expand its Irish store network as its market share hovers around 11.5 per cent. The company will open 20 new stores by the end of 2019, it says, and invest in revamping the layout and design of its existing network.
New deal
The discounter said it was “committed to growing its Irish supply base and increasing the number of Irish products available in its stores”. It recently reduced payment terms to 14 days for suppliers transacting up to €300,000 annually.
"The new deal with Aldi strengthens our position in the Irish market at a time when the mushroom industry is dealing with uncertainty and challenges in the face of Brexit," Mr Codd added.
