Overview of the food and drink industry in Scotland

The Scottish food and drink industry has a lot to offer the world – a wonderful natural larder, an incredible landscape, a clean environment and passionate producers.

Iconic products such as whisky, salmon, beef and shortbread, strong global brands such as Walkers, Baxters and Highland Spring and our excellent provenance credentials ensure that Scottish produce commands a strong premium position in UK and international markets.

In addition we have many natural products with intrinsic health value, including oats, berries and fish rich in omega-3 oils which, coupled with our flair for innovation and our world-class research base means that we are well placed to exploit the growing health market.

Scottish Government statistics (2009)

Food and Drink statistics (source Scottish Government Key Sector Statistics):

  • Turnover for the food and drink sector as a whole increased by 6 percent  from £11.2 billion to £11.9 billion between 2008 and 2009.
  • Food and drink manufacturing alone accounted for £9.02 billion of the turnover for the sector in 2009 up eight percent from 2008..
  • Between 2008 and 2009 food and drink GVA increased by nine percent to £4.8 billion (up (£381 million).
  • Turnover in drinks manufacturing increased 11 percent from £3.9 billion in 2008 to £4.35 billion in 2009.
  • In food manufacturing, turnover increased from £4.4 billion to £4.67 billion

In addition:

  • We have a strong and diverse business base of 1,200 companies, including large-scale indigenous players, global inward investors and many smaller firms with a strong heritage, innovative products and the potential to grow.
  • Scotland has a world-class research base including land use, animal health and genetics, brewing and distilling, life-sciences and nutrition and health.
  • Scotland is the second largest salmon producer in the world, we land 70% of UK fish catch, have one quarter of the beef herd and produce 40% of soft fruit.
  • The whisky sector has seen GVA growth of 98% since 2000 and is a major international player, accounting for 25% of UK exports.

More key facts for Scotland's Food and Drink sector

Source: Scottish Government Annual Business Inquiry (ABI) data and Scottish Government Economic Report on Scottish Agriculture.