Ambitious plans to double Scotland’s food and drink sector turnover

A new strategy to double the turnover of Scotland’s “phenomenal” food and drink sector has been unveiled by Holyrood.

Pledging £10 million of new investment from Government, enterprise agencies and the industry, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said the “ambitious” plans could add more than £30 billion to the farming, fishing, food and drink industries over the next 13 years.

According to Ms Sturgeon, Ambition 2030 will target key markets, boost innovation, focus on skills and support Scotland’s local producers.

Speaking at the 10th annual Scotland Food and Drink conference, in Glasgow, the First Minister said the investment would help the sector’s “unprecedented growth” to continue, particularly in terms of turnover and exports.

But, with Brexit and the risk of leaving the EU and the single market behind hanging above the horizon, she also said it will have a role to play in providing the “utmost” of support for the industry, which relies so profoundly upon migrant labour.

“This new £10m investment will support the industry to realise its ambition to double its value by 2030,” said Ms Sturgeon.

Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers said 10 years ago, when the Scotland Food and Drink partnership was formed, the sector was relatively “static” – but times have now absolutely changed.

He said each of the cogs of the sector contribute to its £14.4bn annual worth; and are responsible for the direct employment of more than 119,000 across food manufacturing businesses.

“It is now one of the country’s best-performing industries,” said Mr Withers.

However, Mr Withers conceded a “huge amount of work” would be required to unlock that potential and that will not come easily.

Ambition 2030 will focus on building Scotland’s national brand as a land of food and drink, driving sales in Scotland, the UK and around the globe.

Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers.