Scotch Lamb Debuts on Costco Shelves

The Scottish sheep industry is receiving a welcome vote of confidence from Costco Wholesale UK Ltd.

As of this month (June), Scotch Lamb is being stocked in the warehouses run by the company which operates a chain of cash and carry membership warehouse clubs selling high-quality merchandise at low prices to businesses.

The company, which has more than 580 warehouses worldwide, has started stocking a range of Scotch Lamb products in four outlets.

Scotch Lamb, supplied by Portlethen-based processor McIntosh Donald, will, for the first time, be stocked in Costco warehouses in Aberdeen, Edinburgh and Glasgow as well as its Gateshead warehouse in the north of England.

"We identified a need for regional supply in our warehouses in Scotland and Gateshead and our catering members in those warehouses will be able to benefit from locally-sourced lamb with 'Scotch' provenance and traceability right back to the farm," said Jonathan Charles, Costco’s fresh meat buyer.

Alan McNaughton, site director at McIntosh Donald, added: "This is clear evidence of Costco’s strong commitment to regional supply.

"It is very welcome to get this sort of support for Scotch Lamb, especially at a time when lamb consumption in the UK is showing decline."

Jim McLaren, chairman of Quality Meat Scotland, said the news was an excellent endorsement of the quality of Scotch Lamb and the steadily growing recognition of what the brand stands for.

"It is great news for the Scottish red meat industry in the year of the 20th anniversary of the launch of the assurance schemes which underpin the Scotch Lamb brand, as well as Scotch Beef and Specially Selected Pork," he said.

"Scotch Lamb has a great story to tell with its world-leading quality and welfare and its extensive method of production. It is rewarding to see that this is being increasingly recognised and valued by consumers and retailers alike."

Costco Wholesale UK.

Looking to source Scotch Lamb? Use Scotland Food & Drink's Buyers' Guide.