Ex-NFUS president heads up industry leadership group

Former NFU Scotland president Allan Bowie has been appointed the chairman of a new fruit and vegetable industry leadership group.

The group will develop an action plan for the sector to capitalise on market opportunities, including the impact of Brexit and it has been designed to complete Scotland’s new food and drink strategy, Ambition 2030, which aims to double the turnover of the industry to £30 billion by 2030.

Rural secretary Fergus Ewing predicted “huge potential” within the fruit and vegetable sector.

Exports have almost trebled to £68 million since 2007 and Scottish fruit production has increased by 86% in the past 10 years. It is now worth £114m, while vegetable production has increased by 50% to £122m.

“This new group, which for the first time brings together all key representatives across the sector, will identify the specific actions needed to overcome any barriers to growth, develop new market opportunities, and address issues facing the sector, not least the implications of Brexit and access to labour,” said Mr Ewing.

Mr Bowie said bringing industry representatives together would unlock new opportunities to the benefit of growers and processors and, ultimately, the health of Scotland’s population.

He said: “The real work beings now and we want to forge a strong partnership between the industry, government and its agencies to unlock the full potential of the fruit and vegetable sector and achieve sustainable growth.”

Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers said: “The twin opportunity here is to drive profitable growth to every part of the supply chain, whilst also trying to drive increased consumption of healthy Scottish products.”