Crumbs! Shortbread firms struggle as butter price rises

Scotland’s shortbread industry is under threat from the rising price of butter, it has emerged.

Customers are facing price hikes as producers consider efforts to deal with the extra costs.

According to the latest UK-wide industry figures, unsalted butter cost £6150 per ton last month – a more than 70% increase on last year.

The Sunday Post previously reported last October that there had already been a 75% rise in the cost between then and the Brexit referendum in June 2016.

Scottish Government ministers are now hoping to work with the industry to find ways of bringing overheads down.

One option being considered by rural secretary Fergus Ewing is to encourage rival firms to come together and bulkbuy their butter.

He said: “This is a concern for many of our smaller food and drink manufacturers.”