Lidl Northern Ireland and Hovis celebrate partnership
The arrival of hot cross buns on supermarket shelves is the undisputed signal that Easter has arrived in Northern Ireland.
Behind this seasonal staple is a £7 million supply contract between Lidl Northern Ireland and Belfast’s own Hovis bakery, a partnership that has brought local baking to the breakfast tables of Lidl shoppers in Northern Ireland for more than 25 years.
Having supplied the retailer since it opened its very first store in 1999, Hovis is a cornerstone of Lidl Northern Ireland’s local supply chain. This Easter, the Hovis team at Apollo Road in South Belfast is producing two types of the seasonal classic hot cross buns which will be available in all 44 stores across the region: the premium Deluxe Hot Cross Buns [£1.39], crafted with real butter and 30% fruit content, and the family favourite private label Connell Bakery Hot Cross Buns [£0.99].
Kevin Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland said: “Hot cross buns are a seasonal staple in many households across Northern Ireland and we are proud to meet that demand through our long-standing relationship with Belfast’s own Hovis.
“This £7 million contract reflects our ongoing commitment to prioritising local sourcing and our significant spend within the local agri-food industry. Having worked with Hovis since our first store opened in 1999, we value the heritage and quality they bring to our shelves, ensuring our customers can enjoy the very best homemade produce at market-leading value.”
COMMITMENT TO LOCAL SUPPLIERS
Trevor McCrum, General Manager at Hovis Ireland added: “As a Belfast-based bakery with over 150 years of history, we take great pride in seeing our hot cross buns at the center of Easter celebrations across the country.
“Our longstanding relationship with Lidl Northern Ireland provides a key platform for our business, delivering scale while staying true to our local roots. We are delighted to continue delivering high-quality, Belfast-baked favorites to Lidl shoppers for another busy Easter season.”
Lidl Northern Ireland’s commitment to investing in local suppliers is demonstrated in its latest Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, released in November 2025, which revealed that the retailer procured a record £557 million in goods and services from local suppliers and business partners in Northern Ireland in the last financial year alone, with £413 million worth of NI goods exported to Lidl stores across the globe.
Alongside established partners like Hovis, Lidl also champions emerging local producers through its Kickstart Supplier Development Programme. Now in its ninth year, Kickstart has seen Lidl invest more than £4 million into showcasing innovative homegrown products, acting as a springboard for numerous local success stories including Holmes Bakery, Hellbent, and Slumber Jack Coffee.
