Scots food and drink hits record £14.3bn turnover

Scotland’s food and drink growth sector generated a record turnover of £14.3 billion in 2013, Food Secretary Richard Lochhead announced yesterday.

It is the first time turnover has broken the £14 billion barrier.

New Scottish Government analysis shows sector turnover is up 4 per cent on the 2012 estimate, a rise of £550 million and a massive 24 per cent increase since 2008.

The figures indicate Scotland’s food and drink growth sector is on track to meet a turnover target of £16.5 billion by 2017.

Over the period 2008 to 2013, turnover growth in Scotland’s food and drink manufacturing sector (22%) outperformed that exhibited by the UK food and drink manufacturing sector (11.0%), the whole manufacturing sector in Scotland (-17%) and the whole manufacturing sector in the UK (5.2%).

Commenting on the new figures, Mr Lochhead said: “Our food and drink growth sector is a spectacular Scottish success story with turnover reaching a record high in 2013. To surpass £14 billion for the first time is simply outstanding and must give the sector real confidence.

“Our country is blessed with fantastic natural resources and this industry – with its strong brand and talented people - is Scotland’s jewel in the crown. I am committed to seeing it thrive and flourish which is why the Scottish Government and our agencies are working closely with industry to achieve its ambitious targets, which have previously been smashed years ahead of schedule.

“It is because of this joint approach that we are leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the UK, with food and drink manufacturing in Scotland, for example, growing at twice the UK rate between 2008 and 2013.”