Why food and drink businesses choose Scotland
Invest in Scotland and you will discover that the country has all the right ingredients to make a success of your food or drink business. The Scottish food and drink industry is associated with unique values – quality, beautiful unspoilt landscapes, clean air, pure water and all the traditions of good, honest husbandry.
A significant multinational presence and hundreds of indigenous businesses means that Scotland is home to one of the most sizable food and drink clusters in Europe.
Government support and funding for food and drink businesses
Scotland has many features that make it attractive for food and drink businesses looking to relocate. Scotland Food and Drink is an industry-led strategy launched by the Scottish Government to help the sector thrive. Other benefits for your food and drink business include:
- Financial assistance to make it easier for companies to set up in Scotland, including business grants and other financial incentive schemes.
- Scotland being a multicultural nation with a high standard of living, strong economy and some of the finest schools and universities in the world.
- A strong supply chain, with over 65 per cent of Scottish output supplied to the grocery trade.
- Highly marketable products including whisky, ales, soft drinks, seafood, salmon, beef, lamb, health-enhancing foods, dairy and other speciality products.
- A substantial skills pool, plus expertise and facilities in areas such as bottling, packaging and labelling.
- Strong links with a world-class academic sector that produces high-quality graduates for the food and drink industry in Scotland.
Support for the Scottish food and drink industry
Some of the world’s best natural produce is to be found in Scotland, as are some of the most skilled and innovative food and drink producers and manufacturers. Setting up in, relocating to, or expanding in Scotland allows your food and drink business to take advantage of the many benefits on offer.
The food and drink industry in Scotland is vibrant, forward-thinking and thriving. Making a significant contribution to the Scottish economy, the sector generates more than £7.5billion per year and offers many opportunities for food and drink investment.
SDI assists the industry by attracting direct international investment and helping Scottish food businesses and beverages companies develop trade activities outside Scotland.
In addition, SDI:
- Helps food and drink companies in Scotland obtain funding for projects.
- Promotes research partnerships.
- Provides advice, business mentoring, and access to specialist services to food and drink businesses in Scotland.
Contact SDI to find out more about the assistance we offer your food and drink business and the Scottish food and drink industry in general.