Aldi’s Bardon automated distribution centre reaches a major milestone as fresh produce operations begin
• Facility will process more than 1.5 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables every day during peak operations
• Advanced automation technology is designed to move fresh produce efficiently while maintaining different temperature requirements
• £500m investment strengthens Aldi’s distribution network and supports its long-term UK expansion
Ulvila, Finland – 24 September 2026 – Aldi has begun handling fresh fruit and vegetables at its Bardon Distribution Centre in Leicestershire, marking the next stage in the ramp-up of what is described as the UK’s largest automated warehouse.
The first pallets of produce, including ginger and avocados, arrived at the site on Wednesday 16 September, followed by the first outbound pallet the following day.
The beginning of fresh produce operations follows the launch of the Bardon site in May 2026. Aldi has invested more than £500m in the facility, which forms part of the retailer’s wider £1.6bn investment in Britain during 2026 and 2027.
The distribution centre is also the lowest carbon-density warehouse across the Aldi South Group, with 19,000 solar panels installed across its roof.
Once fully operational in 2027, the 1.3 million-square-foot facility will be capable of moving more than 1.5 million kilograms of fruit and vegetables every day during peak periods. More than 6,000 pallets of fresh produce will leave the Bardon Distribution Centre daily, supplying Aldi stores across the UK.
The latest automated technology, delivered by technology partner Cimcorp, is designed to help Aldi move
fresh produce through the facility more efficiently while managing the different temperatures needed to protect freshness and shelf life. Products ranging from salad leaves and bananas to soft fruit require carefully controlled conditions throughout the distribution process.
The investment will increase capacity across Aldi’s distribution network as the retailer continues towards its long-term ambition of operating 1,500 stores in the UK. When fully operational, Bardon is expected to employ around 1,000 colleagues and have the capacity to handle almost seven million pallets every year.
The fresh produce operation covers three dedicated temperature-controlled areas, including chilled storage for products such as apples and carrots and a specialist banana room. Within the chilled chamber, pallets are stored in high-bay racking until they are required by stores, with automated shuttles then bringing them forward for dispatch.
Aldi is currently the UK’s third-largest retailer of fresh produce and sells an average of 2.2 billion pieces of fruit and vegetables every year. This includes more than 300 million bananas, 80 million apples and 160 million potatoes.
In July 2026 alone, Aldi sold 2,250 tonnes of British apples, making the retailer the biggest customer of domestic apple growers. Aldi has also set a target to increase the number of portions of fruit and vegetables sold by 14% by the end of 2027.
Jonathan Heaton, Regional Managing Director for Bardon at Aldi UK, said: “The start of fresh produce operations at Bardon is a proud moment for everyone involved in this project and marks a step change in how we serve our customers. Fresh produce is a vital part of our customers’ shopping, yet it presents one of the most complex challenges in grocery logistics, with products needing to move quickly and efficiently from suppliers to stores to maintain freshness. The technology we’ve implemented with Cimcorp allows us to handle enormous volumes while maintaining the precision and care that fresh products demand.
“This investment is about more than efficiency. By reducing the cost of moving products from our suppliers to our stores, we can continue to deliver the lowest prices on the market while ensuring customers always find fresh, high-quality fruit and vegetables on our shelves. As operations build over the coming weeks, Bardon will play an increasingly important role in Aldi’s supply chain, supporting our continued growth across the UK.”
Mikko Kumpulainen, System Planning Development Manager & Key Account Manager at Cimcorp, said: “Fresh food logistics present unique operational challenges that require specialised technology and expertise. This distribution centre demonstrates how intelligent automation can manage high volumes while maintaining the flexibility needed for a complex grocery environment.
“Our automation allows Aldi to respond more effectively to changing demand patterns while supporting long-term growth. Ultimately, the goal is simple: ensuring high-quality fresh products are available for consumers whenever they visit their local store.”
