As the new year of 2026 begins, many Brits are looking to embrace healthier eating habits. For journalist Shania King-Soyza, this meant increasing her intake of fresh fruit and vegetables. With five major supermarkets within a ten-minute walk of her home, she embarked on a mission to compare their fresh produce offerings.
The Supermarket Fresh Produce Ranking
On the 11th of January 2026, King-Soyza visited Asda, Aldi, Sainsbury's, Marks and Spencer, and Lidl. She assessed each store on three key criteria: the quality of the items, the prices charged, and the overall variety available. The results provided a clear hierarchy for shoppers.
Fifth Place: Aldi
Aldi secured the fifth spot in this fresh produce face-off. The discounter's main strength is its unbeatable value. A 1kg bag of baking potatoes cost just 84p, while a bunch of five bananas was priced at 78p, working out at 16p per banana. The retailer's famous 'Super Six' promotions also offer significant savings on selected items every fortnight.
However, the assessment found that while Aldi covers all the basics, its selection is limited. For those seeking premium freshness, longevity, or ingredients for global cuisine, it may fall short, placing it at the bottom of this particular list.
Fourth Place: Marks and Spencer
Marks and Spencer impressed with its visual displays and exotic range. Shoppers are greeted by seasonal showcases, and the store offered items like blood oranges, dragon fruit, and cotton candy grapes. Its fruit pots, such as pear with plums and blackberries, also stood out for innovation.
The major drawback was price. Organic carrots cost £2 for 1kg, a 2kg bag of potatoes was £1.50, and black seedless grapes were £2.80 for 500g. For those prioritising premium taste and quality over budget, M&S is a destination, but it is not the place for a cheap weekly shop.
Third Place: Lidl
Lidl claimed a surprising third place, rivalling Aldi on price but offering a more extensive selection. Its 'Pick of the week' promotions featured discounts of 20% to 27% on items like raspberries, apples, and butternut squash. A bunch of bananas matched Aldi at 78p, a 7.5kg sack of potatoes was £4.09, and 1kg of carrots cost 69p.
The comparison noted that Lidl's key differentiator is its broader range, but it can be let down by inconsistent quality, preventing it from ranking higher.
Second Place: Asda
Asda's large-format store offered a vast fruit and veg section, including a world food area with vegetables for stir-fries and fajitas. On price, it was highly competitive: a seven-pack of bananas cost 88p, and a massive 7.5kg bag of potatoes was priced at just £3.92, undercutting Lidl.
The supermarket also scored points for its clear discounting, using yellow packaging for offers like a pack of six salad tomatoes for 99p. The review found that while Asda's range is excellent, the quality of some items like grapes and strawberries can be hit or miss.
The Clear Winner: Sainsbury's
Sainsbury's was crowned the ultimate winner for being the perfect all-rounder. It combined a diverse range, consistent high quality, and reasonable prices. The store stocked unique items like fresh herbs, scotch bonnet peppers, pak choi, and cavolo nero, which were harder to find elsewhere.
On pricing, it matched competitors on key lines: a bunch of five bananas was 78p, and a 1kg bag of carrots was 69p. It also offered a small bunch of eight bananas for £1, making it cheaper per banana than Aldi's deal. A 2kg bag of potatoes cost £1.32.
While it may lack some of the flashiest promotional deals, the use of Nectar discounts and Aldi Price Match helps keep costs down. The reviewer concluded that for a balance of quality, price, and variety, Sainsbury's was the clear champion.
