Speaking at the 2026 conference of the National Farmers’ Union, Tesco’s Chief Commercial Officer Ashwin Prasad made one thing clear: the future of British agriculture will be built on collaboration, data and practical innovation — and Tesco intends to lead from the front.
In January, Tesco announced that fresh food sales had risen by 6.6%, reinforcing strong consumer demand for healthy, British-grown produce. Ashwin described the growth as proof that customers are actively choosing fresh, responsibly sourced food and invited farmers to work in partnership to meet that demand.
He argued that the UK has the potential to become a global leader in sustainable, low-carbon farming, pointing to progress already being made across Tesco’s supply chains. Central to that ambition is data. In November, Tesco launched its own data baselining programme, helping 360 beef and sheep farmers collect and use soil and nature data at scale for the first time. The move is designed to build resilience in the supply chain at a time when climate and cost pressures continue to intensify.
Ashwin stressed that farmers are not looking for research that remains theoretical. They want practical, on-farm solutions that deliver measurable results. In response, Tesco is working with suppliers to trial and scale innovations including low-carbon fertilisers, alternative fuels and energy-efficient infrastructure at its low-carbon concept farm in Lincolnshire. The farm has already produced 260,000 2kg packs of potatoes now on sale in Tesco stores — turning sustainability into something tangible for customers.
Tesco is also deepening collaboration through its Sustainable Farming Groups across dairy, beef, sheep, pigs and produce. Ashwin acknowledged that financial sustainability must underpin every partnership. Each group operates with transparent pricing structures tailored to its sector, ensuring stability for farmers. In addition, Tesco has introduced sustainability-linked incentives for more than 400 farmers, responding directly to calls for support in meeting shared environmental goals.
Looking ahead, Ashwin urged that the forthcoming Government food strategy provide long-term clarity for UK agriculture. He called for a level playing field across the industry, protection of high production standards and clear policy conditions that allow farmers to invest confidently in the transition to net zero.
With fresh food sales rising and practical innovation already being deployed on farms, Tesco is positioning itself ahead of the curve — aligning commercial growth with environmental responsibility and strengthening the resilience of British agriculture in the process.