The export of Lidl Portugal increased by 45 per cent in 2016, and has a total sales value of 70 million euro. The discount chain exports products to 22 sales markets and 8,000 shops in total. It is expected that the export of national products will increases in 2017.
From 2014 to 2016, the export to six countries amounted to 16,000 tonnes of rock pear (Pera Rocha); 1,700 tonnes of watermelon; 4,500 tonnes of raspberries and blackberries. In 2016, Lidl started the export of this product to Poland. In that same year, Lidl started exporting oxheart cabbage to Germany (385 tonnes), pumpkin (354 tonnes) to three countries, and melon (1,200 tonnes) to five countries.
As part of its corporate social responsibility, Lidl has five aims: employees, diversity in products, trade partners, environment and society. As part of this, the chain supports local producers, and helps them to export their products with the aid of Lidl’s network. Cooperation with associations is also very important. One example of this is the cooperation with Portugal Fresh, which has, as its goal, promoting fruit, vegetables and flowers both in Portugal and abroad. This cooperation ensures, among other things, a closer bond with local producers.
