16 Food & Drink - World Class Scotland
16 Food & Drink - World Class Scotland
16 Food & Drink - World Class Scotland
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
[<br />
Rowett Institute<br />
The nation with great taste<br />
James Withers, Chief Executive,<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong> <strong>Food</strong> & <strong>Drink</strong><br />
The world now comes to <strong>Scotland</strong>’s table to sample<br />
food produced to the highest possible standards<br />
James Withers<br />
In <strong>Scotland</strong> we are blessed with one of the world’s finest natural<br />
larders. <strong>Scotland</strong> is truly a Land of <strong>Food</strong> & <strong>Drink</strong>. Yet it has only<br />
been in recent years that we have started to fully appreciate it,<br />
promote it and celebrate it. There is a real buzz in the sector.<br />
Burgeoning public interest across <strong>Scotland</strong> in local produce<br />
and a fast-growing reputation overseas are both fuelling<br />
unprecedented growth.<br />
<strong>Food</strong> and drink is the star player of the Scottish economy just<br />
now. It is the best performing domestic sector and the fastest<br />
growing export industry. In tough economic times, our talented,<br />
entrepreneurial food and drink producers and manufacturers are<br />
bucking the trend.<br />
When industry body <strong>Scotland</strong> <strong>Food</strong> & <strong>Drink</strong> set an export target<br />
of £5.1 billion for 2017 - 38% growth - it seemed ambitious. In<br />
fact, it was reached six years early prompting the setting of a new<br />
target of £7 billion by that same date. If achieved, exports of food<br />
and drink will have almost doubled in a decade.<br />
The French now buy our cheese, the Japanese buy our seafood<br />
for sushi and the Chinese are even buying tea manufactured in<br />
<strong>Scotland</strong>. Our reputation for clean air, pristine waters and world<br />
class production standards are generating a growing army of<br />
international followers.<br />
Yet, it is at home where many of the opportunities to celebrate<br />
our produce still lie. The emergence of more farmers markets and<br />
artisan producers, alongside our world famous brands, speaks of<br />
the momentum in the industry.<br />
Eyes have already turned to 2014, when two of the greatest<br />
sporting events on Earth come to <strong>Scotland</strong>. Industry and<br />
government are working together to ensure we showcase our Land<br />
of <strong>Food</strong> & <strong>Drink</strong> at the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup.<br />
That will create a legacy which ensures quality food and drink<br />
is integral to major events, tourism and society in<br />
general in this country. It will strengthen the<br />
foundation of success in recent years and<br />
will ensure we reap benefits – whether<br />
they are economic, social or healthrelated<br />
– in the years to come.<br />
[ WORLD CLASS SCOTLAND <strong>Food</strong> & <strong>Drink</strong><br />
[ In tough economic times, our talented,<br />
entrepreneurial food and drink producers<br />
and manufacturers are bucking the trend ]<br />
102<br />
103<br />
[