Relationship with suppliers

Sourcing from local farmers

Over the past few years, we have been transforming the way food reaches our stores – and, above all, strengthening our relationship with those who produce it.

In Poland, everything began in 2021, when Biedronka decided to build closer ties with small local producers. What started as a programme with just 60 participants has grown into a solid network of more than 260 producers in 2025. Together, they delivered around 270 million food items, bringing fresher products to stores and creating a direct impact on the communities where they operate.

In Colombia, Ara created ``La placita de Ara``, a special area at the entrance of stores designed to highlight fruits and vegetables purchased directly from local producers. In 2025, more than 100 producers were already part of this initiative, contributing to the sale of around 80 thousand tonnes of fresh food and reinforcing each store’s local identity.

In Portugal, Pingo Doce has been promoting national production through communication both inside and outside its stores – on social media, on packaging and in specialised fresh‑produce leaflets. In 2025 alone, it purchased more than 16 thousand tonnes of fruit such as apples, cherries, chestnuts and kiwis, strengthening its commitment to Portuguese producers and to offering local products.

Safeguarding the future of food production

Since 2021 we have been assessing more than 230 perishables and Private Brand suppliers of Biedronka, Pingo Doce, Recheio and Ara to evaluate climate-related risks and opportunities.

This assessment identified growing concerns about extreme temperatures and water availability, prompting suppliers to adapt their operations to maintain production levels and product quality. Key strategic responses include:
- Diversifying ingredients origins (e.g. bananas, cocoa and rice) to regions with more favourable climate conditions.
- Investing in more resilient varieties of raw materials, while maintaining their sustainable origin.
- Developing value-added products that are easier to preserve, such as jams or dehydrated goods.

Promoting sustainable agriculture practices among suppliers

Sustainable agriculture reduces soil pollution and protects ecosystem services like pollination. It also boosts production system resilience, economic viability and social development. To support this, we created the Sustainable Agriculture Handbook for our Portuguese fruit, vegetable and flower suppliers. It guides improvements in land use, biodiversity, water and energy efficiency, while helping farms calculate their sustainability index. Over 200 farms have been integrated in this project since 2016, representing 67% of the volume of fruits, vegetables and flowers purchased by our Companies in Portugal.

Supplier payment practices

For many small food suppliers, managing liquidity can be a daily challenge. With them in mind, we created invoice‑advance agreements with financial institutions, allowing these suppliers to receive payments before the usual due date whenever they wish. The process is simple: the supplier anticipates the amount to be received, assumes a cost associated with our credit conditions, and their financial rating remains unaffected.

Throughout 2025, this solution gained strength and reach. In Portugal, Poland and Colombia, more than 200 suppliers in each country used this tool, finding a way to manage their businesses with greater security and flexibility.

Ultimately, this is about offering stability to those at the start of the value chain, ensuring that products reach our stores without jeopardising the financial health of producers. It is a partnership that builds trust, supports business growth and strengthens relationships in every market where we operate.