A new strategy for Scotland’s food and drink sector was launched at the weekend, which aims to create £20 billion in turnover by 2028.
The new industry strategy, Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the world, was launched by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership as a framework for the next ten years, replacing Ambition 2030: Industry Strategy for Growth (launched 2017) and the pandemic’s Food and Drink Recovery Plan.
The strategy centres around three missions on increasing resilience, sustainability and growth in the industry on a global scale. It aims for a 25% increase in turnover in the food and drink sector within the next five years, from a projected £16 billion to £20 billion.
The sector is recovering from the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing impact of Brexit, with rising energy and commodity prices and skilled labour shortages across the industry.
Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the world focuses on eight priority areas to facilitate growth and recovery surrounding net zero and the environment; policy and regulation; supply chain security; people and skills; technology and digital; access to capital; infrastructure; brand and reputation.
Launching the strategy at the Royal Highland Show, First Minister Humza Yousaf announced £5 million in funding from Scottish Government for 2023/24, with a further £1 million industry contribution for year one.
The partnership
The Scotland Food & Drink Partnership brings government and industry together to further the sector’s interests. It represents 90% of the country’s food and drink and includes over 450 members of the wider Scotland Food & Drink organisation.
The strategy gives Government and policymakers a clear direction on how to build success and support businesses in Scotland. It is then Scotland Food & Drink’s task to manage the strategic delivery plan across both supply and demand.
The Partnership will publish a detailed year-one delivery plan soon, focusing on how businesses can access and sell to new markets nationally and internationally.
Iain Baxter, Chief Executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said:
“Our food and drink sector is a major economic contributor, so having a unifying strategy to drive forward a positive vision for the industry is essential. We have the opportunity to cement ourselves as a world leader in sustainability. That’s sustainability in the widest possible sense – environmental impacts, societal fairness, and economically sustainable.”
Brian Forbes, Harvest Home © Flickr
In 2022, Glic produced a £16.7m Food and Drink strategy for Argyll & Bute Council, with eight priority areas and 59 initiatives that would deliver long-term benefits for the area. Glic’s strategy recommendations will now be pursued under the council’s Good Food Nation Plan.
