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FOOD & DRINK
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We’re stronger than ever
James Withers, Chief Executive
Scotland Food & Drink
Scotland leads the way in the business of food
and drink and collaborative supply chains will
ensure equal sharing of the rewards
We are approaching the end of the current
10-year industry strategy. All focus is on a
new strategy to be launched in 2017,
charting a course to 2030.
James Withers, Chief Executive Scotland Food & Drink
The Scottish food and drink industry is in a
strong position.
However, there is much work still to do in
the face of unprecedented change in the
world of food and drink.
If you dig deeper into the large turnover
number, you see both the success of recent
years and the challenges ahead. Of
particular success is the growth in food
manufacturing, which is running at twice
the rate of UK average for the sector.
Between 2008 and 2014, the turnover in
food manufacturing in Scotland rose 43%
compared to 21% for the UK average in
food and drink.
“
That’s a remarkable achievement and
points to something very different
happening in Scotland in terms of
innovation, collaboration and reputation
building.
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Traditional and new-style cuisines are in demand
Much will change over the next 10 to 15
years in food and drink.
Shopper habits are changing markedly
with people focussed on convenient meal
solutions, healthier alternatives, online
ordering, new-style cuisines and much
more. Alongside that, Brexit bring its
political and economic upheavals.
The European Union is the source for 30%
of the Scottish food and drink workforce
and it’s the destination for 80% of our
food exports.
Therefore, the future relationship with
Europe is central to our future.
Like any major change, there will be a mix
of opportunity and challenge; the balance
between those two remains to be seen.
However, in a world of uncertainty and
change, we benefit from the strongest
ever platform on which to build.
Scotland’s reputation for food and drink
grows stronger each year. We are
Perhaps most important of all is a new
culture of collaboration at the heart of
our industry.
Scotland Food & Drink is an industry body
but at out heart we’re a coalition of both
the public and private sectors, joining
forces to grow value and grow reputation.
While Scotland is seen internationally as
a model to follow, our collaboration must
deepen further in the coming years.
Nowhere is this more true than in parts of
our supply chain. The successful growth
of food and drink turnover sits in stark
contrast to the health of some of our farm
businesses.
We need to develop collaborative supply
chains to ensure reward is shared among
every link within them.
That will require change by farmers and
the rest of the supply chain but, as the
foundation of much of the food and drink
sector, achieving a financially sustainable
model for agriculture is critical.
If we can tackle that, use the clear talent
of our people and quality of our raw
materials, embrace innovation and
collaboration, then Scotland’s food and
drink future will remain as bright over the
next 10 years as it has been during the
past decade.
WORLD CLASS SCOTLAND Food & Drink
Autumn 2016 saw the announcement of
a new record annual turnover of £14.4
billion. Given the value of the sector back
in 2007 was only £10 billion and static,
it has been quite a turnaround.
An industry-wide consultation is underway
to shape it, working closely with our
strategic partners across the industry and
public sector, informed by the 360
companies that are members of Scotland
Food & Drink and many others.
developing new customers in markets at
home and overseas.
Scotland’s reputation for food and drink grows
stronger each year. We are developing new
customers at home and overseas.
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