Date Created: 09 December 2011
Scottish food and drink products are enjoying a boom in China and Hong Kong with whisky exports reaching £63.6 million and Scottish salmon exports reaching £20 million in the nine months since direct exports have been allowed.
The encouraging export figures were announced as a new food and drink export strategy for Asia was published.
First Minister Alex Salmond launched Scottish Development International's Food and Drink Strategy for Asia during a trade visit to the region.
The strategy has been designed to help the Scottish food and drink industry take advantage of opportunities for growth in Asia over the next six years.
The strategy will help build Scotland's reputation as the Land of Food and Drink, helping raise the country's profile as a supplier of premium products.
Key areas such as whisky, seafood and red meat will provide the focus for developing Scotland's global competitive advantage while other sectors such as dairy and bakery will be expanded.
The strategy will provide Scottish companies with the help, resources and knowledge they need to develop their trade in the Asia Pacific region.
Mr Salmond said:
"It's fantastic that Chinese consumers are already taking an interest in authentic Scottish produce. Exports of fresh Scottish salmon to China have already reached almost £20 million since we brokered an agreement with the Chinese Government to allow direct exports to begin in January, while direct shipments of Scotch whisky to China and Hong Kong are up 13 per cent on the same period last year to reach £63.6 million in September.
"However, I believe there is scope to build on this success through this new strategy for Asia to help boost exports to this key growth market. The food and drink sector is a vital part of Scotland's economy and growing export demand is crucial to this."
Anne MacColl, chief executive of SDI, added:
"This strategy will ensure that we fully exploit these opportunities. It's essential that we work in partnership with government, stakeholders and individual companies to identify new opportunities, build new customer relationships and develop solutions to any barriers to trade with Asia that currently exist.
"We know that international trade and investment is key to Scotland's long-term economic recovery and we are committed to ensuring that our message is clear: Scotland is very much open for business and is ready to compete on a global stage."
We can help your company explore new markets
Scottish companies will be able to access a range of services from SDI to help implement the strategy over the next six years, including:
- Workshops
- Scotland Food and Drink Pavilions at key Asian trade shows
- Missions and learning journeys
Fact and figures:
- Direct whisky exports to China for the year to date (Jan-Sept 2011) are £46.8 million
- Direct whisky exports to Hong Kong for the year to date (Jan-Sept 2011) are £16.1 million
- Figures for Jan to Sept 2010 were China - 45.6 million pounds and Hong Kong - £10.7 million
- The value of direct exports of fresh Scottish salmon to China increased from nil in January 2011 to £16.8 million in September
- China has granted legal protection to ensure any product labelled as 'Scotch Whisky' must come from Scotland
- China is now the fifth biggest market for Scottish salmon exports
- The opening of the Chinese market has boosted the salmon export market in the Far East by 500 percent