The food manufacturing sector grew by 43% in Scotland, between 2008–2014, compared with the UK average of 21%.
Growth in the sector was continuing, said cabinet secretary for rural economy and connectivity Fergus Ewing.
“The food and drink sector continues to be one of our most successful and that success shows no sign of slowing down,” said Ewing.
‘Jobs and wealth’
“The industry is vital to Scotland. It creates jobs and wealth, impacts on health and sustainability, and helps attract people to the country by promoting our food and drink around the globe.”
Scottish food and drink manufacturing was making good progress towards meeting the 2017 target of £16.5bn, which has been set by Scotland Food & Drink, he added.
Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers said the latest figures were “testament to a transformation” in the country’s food and drink sector in recent years.
“The sector is not without challenges and uncertainty, but for a sector whose growth was stagnant a few years ago, this has been a major turnaround,” said Withers.
The sector was winning international recognition for collaboration projects and determination to grow, he added.
“Opportunities still abound at home and overseas. We’re investing in developing new customers across the UK and in key international markets,” said Withers.
‘Launched early next year’
“That work, alongside deeper partnership working between different industry bodies and government, will be the key to success in the coming years and central to a new 2030 strategy to be launched early next year.”
While welcoming the figures, National Farmers Union Scotland warned farmers and crofters were “increasingly angry and frustrated” that they were failing to get their fair share of increased sales.
Union president Allan Bowie said: “The figures simply serve as a sharp reminder that the disconnect between the value generated by the wider sector and returns to the farmgate is growing rather than shrinking.
“For the third year in succession, incomes for Scotland’s farmers and crofters will fall. That is a sad and worrying statistic that all with an interest in the nation’s food and drink sector need to take heed of.”
Meanwhile Scottish Food Fortnight started on Sunday (September 4).
Scottish food and drink sector – at a glance
- Record annual turnover of £14.4bn in 2014
- Growth of 43% was twice the UK average of 21%
- Employs 116,000 people
- 2030 strategy to be launched early next year