£10m backing to boost growth.

New funding to further support Scotland’s “phenomenal” food and drink industry has been announced by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

The Scottish Government, its enterprise agencies, and the food and drink industry are supporting delivery of the new food and drink strategy – ‘Ambition 2030’ – through a new £10 million funding package. The strategy will target key markets, boost innovation, focus on skills, and support local producers – with ambitious plans to double the value of the industry to £30 billion by 2030.

Making the announcement at Scotland Food and Drink’s 10th annual conference in Glasgow the First Minister said:

“Scotland’s food and drink sector has enjoyed phenomenal success over the past ten years with unprecedented growth in turnover and exports, including food exports alone doubling to £1.5 billion.

Our nation is blessed with all the ingredients we need to achieve greater success. We have a fantastic natural larder, the skills and expertise, and the complementary strengths in tourism, innovation and research.

Yet the risk of leaving the EU and the single market means these are uncertain times, while revoking the free movement of people could have a profound impact on our food and drink industry.

That is why we are doing our utmost to support the industry – working in partnership with Scotland Food and Drink, the industry bodies, and our producers – and this new £10 million investment will support the industry realise its ambition to double its value by 2030.”