Former NFU Scotland president Allan Bowie has been unveiled as the chairman of a new fruit and vegetable industry leadership group.
Speaking at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said the group would develop an action plan for the sector to capitalise on market opportunities, including the impact of Brexit.
It has been designed to complete Scotland’s new food and drink strategy, Ambition 2030, which aims to double the turnover of the industry to £30billion by 2030.
“There is huge potential within our fruit and vegetable sector. Since 2007 the industry has enjoyed fantastic growth, with exports almost trebling to £68million,” said Mr Ewing.
“We can grow the industry further through increasing consumption, displacing imports and continuing to build upon Scotland’s growing reputation in export markets.”
He said Scottish fruit production had increased by 86% in the past 10 years and it was now worth £114million, while vegetable production had increased by 50% to £122million.
“This new group, which for the first time brings together all key representatives across the sector, will identify the specific actions needed to overcome any barriers to growth, develop new market opportunities, and address issues facing the sector, not least the implications of Brexit and access to labour,” added Mr Ewing.
Mr Bowie welcomed his new appointment and said he was “hugely enthusiastic and optimistic” about Scotland’s fruit and vegetable sectors.
He said: “By bringing the sector’s leaders round the table I believe we can unlock new opportunities to the benefit of growers and processors and, ultimately, the health and wellbeing of Scotland’s population.
“The real work beings now and we want to forge a strong partnership between the industry, government and its agencies to unlock the full potential of the fruit and vegetable sector and achieve sustainable growth.”
Scotland Food and Drink chief executive, James Withers, said this was the first time representatives from across the fruit and vegetable sector would be brought together to develop a “long-term, ambitious roadmap for the future”.
He said: “The twin opportunity here is to drive profitable growth to every part of the supply chain, whilst also trying to drive increased consumption of healthy Scottish products.”