Lidl Northern Ireland has announced that its Kickstart supplier development programme for 2026 will feature 30 new products from more than 16 local producers, including three businesses based in County Armagh. The products are due to go on sale in Lidl stores across Northern Ireland from Thursday, September 10.

The County Armagh participants include Mac Ivors Cider, a family-run cider maker from Portadown, which will supply its Medium Cider and Plum and Ginger Cider. Island Salads, a family-owned chilled food producer from Aghagallon, will provide its Fruit Trifle and Black Forest Trifle. Juist, a canned apple juice brand from McAlisters Apples of Loughgall, has also been selected; the fourth-generation family farm has grown apples since 1921 and launched its ready-to-drink range in 2025.

The Kickstart programme, supported by the Northern Ireland Food & Drink Association (NIFDA), has invested more than £4 million in the initiative since its launch in 2018. It has supported more than 60 Northern Irish agri-food businesses and showcased over 80 home-grown products to half a million weekly customers across the region.

Previous participants have secured permanent listings with the retailer. Holmes Bakery in Portadown continues to supply Lidl Northern Ireland with traybakes such as caramel fingers, sweet mince slices and fifteens. The programme has also helped some suppliers to export through Lidl’s global network across Europe, the UK and the USA.

Kevin Duffy, chief commercial officer at Lidl Ireland & Northern Ireland, said the programme allows Lidl to bring the best local produce directly to shelves, and that customers have a strong appetite for locally made goods. He added that suppliers spend six months working with Lidl’s in-house team to get products retail-ready before they appear in stores.