Scotland’s rich natural larder has been mapped out as part of efforts to attract backing for the food and drink industry from investors in the south-east of England.
With Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight now under way, representatives of more than 25 firms travelled to meet potential backers at an event in London.
The new map was unveiled there by the visit’s organisers, accountancy and business advisory firm Johnston Carmichael. The company said the striking image had been created to show not just traditional foods, including beef, salmon and berries, but also the new craft beers, boutique gins and other tastes for which Scotland is increasingly becoming famous.
Porter’s Gin, distilled in Aberdeen, and rapeseed oil producers Cullisse, based in Nigg, Ross-shire, were among the businesses represented at the event, held in Scotland House.
They were introduced to a number of potential backers, including London-based investors from the Scottish Business Network and Inverleith, an Edinburgh-based specialist food and drink private-equity investment firm.
Adam Hardie, head of food and drink at Johnston Carmichael, said “real progress” was made at the meeting. He added: “We are delighted to have attracted some of the most promising new brands from Scotland’s vibrant food industries and to have introduced them to a range of specialist investors who have experience in precisely this sector.
“We are confident that real progress has been made in attracting the investment needed to move these brands to the next level.”
Food and drink has consistently been Scotland’s best performing sector in recent years, with record export figures in 2016, and the Scottish Government aims to double its value from the current level of £14.4billion to £30billion by 2030.
Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, described by its organisers as an event which “supports, promotes and champions Scotland’s produce and the people who grow, make, cook and sell it,” got under way last Saturday.
At its launch, Rural Economy Secretary described the industry as a “cornerstone of our economy and heritage, with our products being held in the highest regard across the globe”.
This week the Scottish Government announced £390,000 funding to educate school pupils about careers in the sector.