Asda Press Centre

ASDA part of the Wal-Mart family

ASDA Press Centre

Tuesday 6th May, 2008

ASDA PLEDGES TO SOURCE AN ADDITIONAL £30M PRODUCE FROM AFRICAN FARMERS (AT BROWN'S MILLENNIUM GOALS SUMMIT)

Supermarket to source more fresh produce from Africa over next five years

Andy Bond, President and CEO of ASDA will today (Tuesday 6th May) pledge to source an additional £30 million worth of fresh produce from African farmers over the next five years at the Africa Millennium Goals Summit hosted by Prime Minister, Gordon Brown.

ASDA's announcement marks a significant step change in the way the supermarket procures fresh produce from the African continent, creating sustained employment with trading partners in South Africa, Kenya, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Ghana and Burkino Faso.

As part of its pledge, the retailer will increase the amount of Kenyan flowers it sources by 20% by the end of 2008. It will also purchase significantly more bananas, citrus fruits, mangoes, and avocadoes from African farms.

Bond is one of 80 industry leaders, including CEOs of leading global companies, senior ministers from the UK and leaders of global business associations, who are involved in the 'call to action' to help develop trade in Africa.

The debate, facilitated by Zeinab Badawi from BBC World, will focus on various new initiatives companies are undertaking to help reach the United Nation's Millennium development goals.

Andy Bond, ASDA CEO commented:

"We are integrating Africa more and more into our business plans in order to increase trade with the Continent. Our pledge of an extra £30 million investment in fresh produce will help cement long-term relationships with African farmers and growers.

"We don't claim to have all the answers, but we believe signing the Millennium Development Pledge is an important step. Whilst the vast majority of our produce will always be sourced locally, as a major UK retailer we can help address poverty in Africa through the procurement of more of its goods. This in turn will provide much needed jobs and opportunities for thousands of people across the Continent."

Notes for Editors

Around 90% of all the fresh produce that ASDA sells that can be sourced from the UK, is sourced from the UK.

The eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) – which range from halving extreme poverty to halting the spread of HIV/AIDS and providing universal primary education, all by the target date of 2015 – form a blueprint agreed to by all the world’s countries and all the world’s leading development institutions. They have galvanized unprecedented efforts to meet the needs of the world’s poorest.

The MDGs Call to Action was launched in July 2007 by the Prime Minister in New York, speaking alongside the UN Secretary General, Ban-Ki Moon, to encourage the international community to accelerate progress to reach the MDGs. To mobilise not just governments but business, faith groups, NGOs, cities and professional organisations into action in the face of this development emergency.

The additional products ASDA will source from Africa will include: bananas, apples, grapes, citrus, plums, onions, squash, legumes, mango, and avocado. ASDA is also involved in other social schemes in Africa, including the 'Thirsty Planet' initiative alongside Harrogate Spa Water. 50p from the retail price of a multi-pack of bottled water is donated to communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, establishing sustainable supplies of water for improved health. Last year's sales of Thirsty Planet water in ASDA stores led to the donation of 639 water pumps to the African continent.