Supermarket sweep for Scottish food & drink
Scottish food and drink exports are set to receive a huge boost thanks to two separate international promotions running in premium supermarket chains in China and the Middle East this week.
The promotions, which have been brokered by Scottish Development International, will see Scottish food and drink promoted in the Ole supermarket in China and the Alosra supermarket chain in Bahrain.
The Ole promotion will run across the chain’s 30 supermarkets and will include a ceremonial ‘fish opening’ show and whisky masterclass, plus shortbread tasting. Products being promoted include Macallan and Johnnie Walker whisky, salmon from the Scottish Salmon Company, shortbread from Walkers Shortbread, Campbells Shortbread and Reids of Caithness; plus a variety of produce from Baxters, Mackays and Mrs Bridges.
Cabinet Secretary for Food and Drink Richard Lochhead officially launched the Ole promotion in China as part of his trip to the Far East to promote the Scottish food and drink industry.
Commenting, Mr Lochhead said: "Both of these promotions offer a fantastic international platform for Scotland's finest produce to be showcased.
"Wherever they are in the world, when people sample our delicious premium products such as salmon or shortbread or whisky, they are always hugely impressed.
"These events will hopefully further increase the demand for our top quality goods from both consumers and retailers in China and the Middle East."
Meanwhile in Bahrain, fifteen leading Scottish food and drink companies will be showcasing their wares in Alosra and looking to take advantage of the strong local appetite for Scottish produce, which saw food & drink exports to Bahrain increase by over 20% last year.
Anne MacColl, chief executive of Scottish Development International, said: “Both Ole and Alosra are very high-end retail supermarkets which list a strong range of imported premium products, so competition to achieve listings is extremely tough.
“Fortunately, the quality of Scottish food and drink sets our produce apart from the rest, in terms of taste, flavour and provenance, and this is helping us to drive sales globally, both to consumers purchasing Scottish goods in supermarkets and to the hospitality industry buying it wholesale.
These promotions reflect the growing importance of China and the Middle East market to the Scottish food and drink industry, with trade valued at £92.4m and £10.1m respectively in 2011.
Last year, Scottish food and drink export figures to China increased by 44% on 2010, while exports to Bahrain grew by over 20% in the same period, making it one of the strongest performing export markets in the Middle East.
Ms MacColl continued: “We often talk about the importance of getting Scottish companies exporting, but this is a good example of how we are also working with international retailers and investors to make events like this happen.
“We know that in-store promotions in emerging markets are critical to help increase consumer awareness and education, so our field teams have played a significant role in building strong relationships with these stores, which have borne out the current promotions.”
To hear more Scottish export success stories or to find out how SDI can help with your international trade and investment plans, visit www.sdi.co.uk/exportweek or follow the news using #scottishexports.