FDBusiness.com

Food and drink exports from Scotland grew by £421 million in 2016, to a record £5.5 billion. The latest figures show an 8% increase in the value of exports to Scotland’s successful food and drink sector over the past year.

The figures also show that food exports alone grew by 22% to £1.5 billion. The fish and seafood category recorded the largest overall increase of £156 million (up 26%), with Europe the leading export destination. Exports to EU countries were worth £2.3 billion overall, up £133 million last year.

Scotch whisky exports grew by £153 million (up 4%) to over £4 billion in 2016.

These figures come ahead of the launch of the new industry strategy, which will outline plans to support and grow the sector to 2030.

James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, says: “The latest export figures are fantastic news and a new high for Scottish food and drink. This industry is Scotland’s fastest growing major sector. Yet we have huge ambitions to grow further. We are clear we want to internationalise our food industry, following in the footsteps of our greatest export, Scotch whisky. We have now doubled food exports since 2007, transforming the level of trade in growing markets like Asia. That is crucial to extend our footprint beyond just Europe which is still the destination for over 70% of our food exports.”

James Withers adds: “The game changer has been developing a national brand for Scottish produce in export markets, with industry and government working hand in hand to invest in overseas trade experts and activity.  If we now further deepen that work, this success story has much further to go.”