SCOTLAND’S £13BN FOOD & DRINK INDUSTRY EMBARKS ON FIRST TRADE MISSION TO INDIA
Delegation will meet retail & hospitality influencers in Mumbai & New Delhi
Scotland’s first ever food and drink delegation is travelling to India 24 to 28 November 2013 to explore opportunities to increase trade between the two nations and grow exports of the country’s finest produce, Crawford Gillies, Chairman of Scottish Enterprise, announced today from India where he has travelled to promote wider business links.
Led by Scottish Development International, the delegation of senior executives from Scotland’s trade bodies and artisan food manufacturers will be introducing their products to retail and hospitality influencers in both Mumbai and New Delhi. It follows a visit to Scotland by Indian buyers and retailers in September 2013.
The visit comes shortly after news that Scottish company Highland Spring, the UK’s number one bottled water brand, is entering the Indian market in a joint venture with Delhi-based Jembex Enterprises. Over 8 million litres of Highland Spring water is exported globally every year and the company’s sparkling spring water will be the first product to launch in India.
The food and drink industry is worth over £13 billion a year to the Scottish economy and currently accounts for 20 per cent of all exports. The industry announced an ambitious export target of £7.1bn by 2017 last year.
Crawford Gillies, Chairman Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scottish food and drink exports to India have increased by almost 90 per cent between 2007 and 2012 and are now worth more than £62 million.
“Changing tastes and rising incomes in India means there is an increased demand for gourmet products while the emergence of a more modern retail sector across India is creating new outlets for international companies to reach discerning consumers.
“This week’s visit is about introducing senior figures from the Scottish food and drink industry to explore these opportunities in more detail and identify potential partnerships with their Indian counterparts.”
James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The learning journey to India is an excellent opportunity to demonstrate why Scotland has garnered a reputation as the land of food and drink by introducing the country’s finest produce to some of India’s biggest retailers and hospitality brands. Our aim is to grow the food and drink industry in Scotland to £16.5 billion by 2017 and increasing sales in key international markets such as India, which as a nation is so passionate about food, is pivotal to achieving this goal.”
The Scottish Food & Drink Sector
The food and drink sector has been one of the key Scottish economic success stories in recent years and accounts for £13.1 billion annual turnover and £5.5 billion Gross Value Added. (2011 – Latest figures available. Source Scottish Annual Business Survey 2011 and Economic report on Scottish Agriculture 2013). The industry has set itself a new target to reach £16.5 billion in turnover by 2017.
Food & Drink Trade Delegation
Scotland’s food and drink trade delegation includes representatives:
- Crawford Gillies, Chairman, Scottish Enterprise
- James Withers, Chief Executive, Scotland Food & Drink
- Graham Young, Chief Executive, Seafood Scotland
- Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive, Scottish Salmon Producers
- Alan Clarke, Chief Executive, Scottish Bakers Association
- Adam Barber, Operations Manager, MacLeans Highland Bakery
- Lawrie Stove, Sales Manager, Loch Duart Salmon
- Alec Cruickshank, Owner & Director, The Scottish Deli
- Ronnie Wilson, Group Commercial Director, Mackies of Taypack Crisps
About Scotland Food & Drink
Industry leadership body Scotland Food & Drink was established in 2007 to spearhead the industry's growth to £16.5 billion by 2017. It seeks to support Scottish food and drink businesses of all sizes and scales to achieve their ambitions and currently has 315 member companies. The organisation focuses on growing sales of Scottish produce both at home and internationally and developing Scotland’s reputation as “A Land of Food & Drink”.
About Highland Spring
Highland Spring is naturally sourced water drawn from deep within the Ochil Hills in Perthshire, Scotland. Renowned for its purity, the brand’s protected organic catchment area and the care that goes into producing every bottle ensures Highland Spring is delivered to consumers just as nature intended.