Plans to boost fruit, vegetable and potato sectors published

PRODUCE: Scotland Food & Drink chief says industry cannot afford to stand still

A new plan to grow Scotland’s fruit, vegetable and potato sectors has been published after a year of consultation with growers and other stakeholders.

The key recommendations to grow the fruit, vegetable and potato sector by 2030 are set out in Planting the Seeds of Growth and they compliment Scotland’s food and drink strategy, Ambition 2030, which aims to double the value of the industry by 2030.

Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers admitted there were uncertainties facing the industry, including access to labour and the wider implications of Brexit.

However he said the industry could not stand still.

“This strategy provides the sector with a clear roadmap for success and now the real work begins,” he said.

“We will be working closely with industry and partners to scope out the requirements of each recommendation and develop clear actions and objectives for each one.”

Actions identified by the group include seeking to add value at all points; collaboration and innovation along the supply chain and in partnership with the public sector; developing a plan for people and skills in the sector; and understanding and targeting opportunities for markets, products and crops.

Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the sector had huge potential if consumption could be increased and imports displaced. “The strategy provides a clear ‘roadmap’ for achieving those aims, to the benefit of farmers, consumers, and the wider rural economy,” he said.

Allan Bowie, who chairs the industry’s leadership group, said: “We believe that if the sector works collectively with a focus on skills, innovation, strengthening the supply chain and developing markets the sector can carve its place in Scotland’s food and drink success story.”

Picture: Wullie Marr Photography. Fabulous Scottish produce on offer at the Royal Highland Show.