M&S Boosts British Chicken Spending by £36M Annually Amid UK Supply Crunch

Marks & Spencer (M&S) will spend an additional £36 million per year on British chicken, increasing its annual volume by a third, as tight domestic supply forces rivals like Iceland and Asda to source poultry from Poland and China. The commitment, announced on January 24, 2026, aims to meet growing consumer demand for premium, high-welfare products. The retailer will expand its partnerships with UK farms and invest in new breeding facilities. The move contrasts with a broader industry trend where UK chicken imports have risen 11% over two years, with Poland supplying 236 million kilograms in the year to November. Industry officials cite UK planning restrictions limiting farm expansion as a key cause of the domestic supply shortage.