A SUBSTANTIAL rise in meat exports to Europe has helped boost Scotland’s food and drink exports to a record £5.5 billion.
Overall food and drink exports from Scotland grew by £421 million in 2016, representing an eight per cent increase in the value of exports from the food and drink sector over the past year.
In the meat category, Scotland increased exports by 11 per cent to £72m, of which 90 per cent was to Europe. Overall, food exports grew by 22 per cent to £1.5bn during 2016.
Exports to EU countries were worth £2.3bn overall, up £133m, underlining the importance of access to European markets, according to Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing.
“The pursuit of a hard Brexit is a major threat to this success, and these figures show why we must work to protect Scotland’s place in Europe,” he said.
A recent industry survey revealed the key markets for Scotch beef and lamb in 2016 to be France and the Benelux economic union of Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, which represented 67.8 per cent of beef and lamb exports from Scotland.
Exports of Scottish red meat to Germany increased by 23 per cent during the year. Exports to the Nordic countries, Poland and Baltic countries, and other central and eastern European countries rose by 19 per cent, 197 per cent and 444 per cent respectively in 2016.
Exports outside the EU, mainly to South Africa, Hong Kong and Thailand, represented 5.4 per cent of total of total Scottish red meat exports.
The rise in meat exports comes after efforts to promote the Protected Geographical Indication status of Scotch Beef and Scotch Lamb. James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The game changer has been developing a national brand for Scottish produce in export markets, with industry and Government working hand in hand to invest in overseas trade experts and activity.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel