Growing EU markets vital to rural economy

The importance of EU markets to Scotland’s rural economy has been underlined by new food and drink export figures which show that sales to Europe grew by £119 million in the first half of 2017.

Overall there was a 9% rise in the value of Scotland’s total global food and drink exports to £2.5 billion when compared to the same period last year.

Food exports increased by 24% to £770 million; Scottish whisky exports grew £57 million (up 3%) to £1.8 billion; and fish and seafood exports are up 38% to £459 million.

The EU accounted for 69% of all food exports and 31% of drinks exports.

Rural Secretary Fergus Ewing said these European exports were potentially at risk.

He said: “I am committed to doing everything I can to help support our food and drinks industry to export more, and to more markets, as outlined in the industry-led Ambition 2030 strategy that aims to double the sector’s turnover by 2030.

“Our larder is world renowned for its quality and diversity, and these figures clearly demonstrate how our industry is continuing to go from strength to strength.”

Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers emphasised the figures were a further reminder that a comprehensive trade deal between the UK and EU was essential for our industry and the Scottish economy.

“With Scottish food and drink making huge strides across North America and the Far East with Scottish trade staff opening doors overseas, this export success story has much farther still to go.”

Susan Beattie, head of Food and Drink at Scottish Development International, said the recent Showcasing Scotland event at Gleneagles had attracted 100 international buyers from 16 countries to meet with 140 food and drink businesses in Scotland to create new export opportunities.

She added: “Scotland’s extensive larder of natural, high quality products continues to drive global appetite for our food and drink exports.

“The Scotland Food & Drink in-market specialists in our top prospect markets are opening doors for Scottish companies with high end retailers, luxury hotels, leading chefs and distributors to help drive this growth.”

Our larder is world renowned for its quality and diversity. RURAL SECRETARY FERGUS EWING

Picture: PA. Food and drink export figures show that sales to Europe grew by £119 million in the first half of 2017.