Meeting of the Parliament 18 March 2025
It is vital that, as a Parliament, we take the time to discuss our iconic food and drink and how we can help to protect and grow the sector in an ever-changing world.
Our food and drink sector is hugely important to Scotland and is a success story that we are determined to build on. It is a bedrock of the Scottish economy and is a £15 billion industry, with more than 17,000 businesses employing around 129,000 people and touching communities the length and breadth of Scotland. Jobs in the industry account for 4.9 per cent of total employment in Scotland, and I know that every member here will be able to give examples of businesses in their constituencies that contribute to those figures.
Generations of farmers, fishermen, brewers, distillers and chefs work tirelessly every day, with passion and skill, to create some of the best produce in the world. Our processors, wholesalers and grocers also play a vital role in showcasing the very best of that produce and bringing it to us. I thank all the businesses that contribute to the success of the sector; we are determined to work with them and to support them in partnership. I recognise the contributions from everyone involved in keeping this dynamic, complex and highly interconnected sector operating and supplying food and drink to the people of Scotland, and beyond, each and every day.
I know how important it is to work together with industry to help those businesses thrive, which is why the Scottish Government continues to support the Scotland Food & Drink partnership to deliver its strategy, “Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World.” We have provided £10 million of funding so far towards that industry-led strategy for the sector, which was launched in 2023. The Scotland Food & Drink partnership is a unique and valuable asset and I cannot stress enough how much I value the collaboration between Government and our key partners to further the interests of the sector.
I will highlight some of the work on that strategy that is being taken forward by the partnership. Ten years ago, we launched the food and drink export plan, supported by Scotland Food & Drink, the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board, Opportunity North East, Salmon Scotland, Scottish Development International, Seafood Scotland and Quality Meat Scotland. Under that plan, we have in-market specialists placed in key markets around the world to champion Scottish products to buyers, and they work with teams back in Scotland to help producers to take advantage of export opportunities. I meet the in-market specialists regularly and hear at first hand about the really creative and exciting work that they are doing to promote Scottish products across the globe. That work is fundamental to growth of the sector. Exports of Scottish food and drink were worth £7.6 billion in 2023 and they made up around a third of the total food and drink exports from the UK, with Scottish salmon accounting for £844 million of exports last year, and Scotch whisky accounting for £5.6 billion.
Alongside the quality and integrity of our produce, one of our most valuable assets is the soft power of Scotland and our brand. Across the globe, a wealth of support and friendliness is directed towards our nation, and we must harness those ties of friendship to help our exports to grow and, thus, underpin high-quality jobs and prosperity in our economy.