The return of hot cross buns to supermarket shelves heralds Easter in Northern Ireland, backed this year by a £7 million supply deal between Lidl Northern Ireland and Belfast-based Hovis.

The partnership has brought locally baked goods to Lidl customers' breakfast tables for more than 25 years.

Supplying Lidl since its first Northern Ireland store opened in 1999, Hovis remains a cornerstone of the retailer's local sourcing. This Easter, the Apollo Road bakery in South Belfast is producing two varieties for all 44 Lidl stores: the premium Deluxe Hot Cross Buns, made with real butter and 30% fruit, priced at £1.39, and the family favourite Connell Bakery own-label Hot Cross Buns at £0.99.

Kevin Duffy, Chief Commercial Officer at Lidl Ireland and Northern Ireland, said: "Hot cross buns are a seasonal staple in many households across Northern Ireland and we are proud to meet that demand through our long-standing relationship with Belfast’s own Hovis. This £7 million contract reflects our ongoing commitment to prioritising local sourcing and our significant spend within the local agri-food industry. Having worked with Hovis since our first store opened in 1999, we value the heritage and quality they bring to our shelves, ensuring our customers can enjoy the very best homemade produce at market-leading value."

Trevor McCrum, General Manager at Hovis Ireland, added: "As a Belfast-based bakery with over 150 years of history, we take great pride in seeing our hot cross buns at the center of Easter celebrations across the country. Our longstanding relationship with Lidl Northern Ireland provides a key platform for our business, delivering scale while staying true to our local roots. We are delighted to continue delivering high-quality, Belfast-baked favorites to Lidl shoppers for another busy Easter season."

Lidl Northern Ireland's Supplier and Business Partner Impact Report, published in November 2025, showed the retailer procured a record £557 million in goods and services from local suppliers and business partners over the last financial year, while £413 million worth of Northern Ireland products were exported to Lidl stores worldwide.

Alongside long-term partners such as Hovis, Lidl supports emerging producers through its Kickstart Supplier Development Programme. Now in its ninth year, Kickstart has seen more than £4 million invested in showcasing innovative home-grown products, helping to launch local success stories including Holmes Bakery, Hellbent and Slumber Jack Coffee.