This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Worldwide taste for Scottish food
24/03/2003
Scotland's food industry is generating significant
worldwide business through its 'unrivalled' quality
produce, the International Food Exhibition in London was
told today.
Scotland is at the forefront when it comes to creating
food products, some of which are the finest and most
sought-after delicacies in the world, according to
Environment and Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie.
He said:
"This is one of the worlds largest food exhibitions and
the most important showcase event for the Scottish food
industry. I am delighted that Scotland has around 40
companies exhibiting, doing business and winning
orders.
"Scotland boasts some of the finest food in the world
which - deservedly so - enjoys an unrivalled reputation for
quality. The industry also plays a significant role in
supporting employment in many fragile rural and coastal
communities.
"The companies I met today operate in a fiercely
competitive international market, but they all demonstrated
a commitment to cornering new markets, including lucrative
export markets, with a top-quality products.
"I am also aware of the hard work and dedication of
those involved in putting the international exhibitions
programme together and making these exhibitions such a
success - Scottish Enterprise, Highlands and Islands
Enterprise, Scottish Development International and, of
course, Food From Britain."
IFE is the largest of the two international food trade
shows in the UK. It is expected that this year's exhibition
will attract some 30,000 visitors from around the
world.
There will be 1,400 companies exhibiting food and drink
products and 40 national country pavilions. The Scottish
Pavilion will have 40 small companies exhibiting.
In 2000, there were 55,500 employees in employment in
the Scottish food and drink industry. This is 2.5% of total
Scottish employment and 18% of total Scottish Manufacturing
employment.
Total food and drink employment rose by 1% between 1998
(55,100) and 2000. Most food and drink business are small
enterprises - in 2000 only 5% employ more than 100 people,
with the majority having only 1-10 employees (56%).
Rural Scotland accounts for 39% (22,700) of employees in
manufacture of food products and beverages in 2000. This is
a rise of 3% since 1998.
The food and drink industry produced gross output of £7
billion (down £1 billion since 1997) and gross value added
of £2 billion in 1999 (down £0.4 billion since 1997).
Non-whisky food and drink exports, in 2000, were worth
£404 million (2% of all manufacturing exports); excluding
whisky (£2.2 billion), and gin and vodka (£140 million)
this increases to 13% of all manufacturing exports.