More than 3,500 Tesco suppliers can now cut production costs and reduce waste by selling or donating surplus stock or products to other suppliers who can make use of them, Tesco says.
The supermarket chain has launched Tesco Exchange, which is a new online marketplace that matches suppliers who have too much of a product with other Tesco suppliers that need it.
Tesco says that suppliers can advertise surplus stock for sale on Tesco Exchange, post requests for things they need, agree on sales between each other, and can also set alerts for when items they need are posted.
One of the first listings was made by the food manufacturer G’s Group, which supplies pickled beetroot to Tesco, the supermarket says.
Excess stock or waste for one supplier could be a valuable commodity to another.
Commentating on the new platform, Tesco Quality Director, Sarah Bradbury, said: “Excess stock or waste for one supplier could be a valuable commodity to another.
“By linking different farmers, producers and manufacturers together, our suppliers can find new ways to trim their bills, reduce waste, and keep delivering great value for our customers.”
Tesco says the platform is the latest action in an ongoing programme led by the supermarket chain to help its suppliers tackle waste.
It continues that through its direct work with 107 of its global suppliers, Tesco has helped to collectively reduce food loss and waste by 78,000 tonnes. Tesco says it aims to halve food waste in its operations by 2025 and reach net zero across its entire value chain by 2050.