20/04/2007

Scottish producers exported more food and drink than the rest of the UK, according to new figures released today.

British food and drink exports broke previous trading records and reached an all time high last year, rising from £9.9bn in 2005 to £10.5bn in 2006 – and Scottish exports outperformed London, Wales, and Northern Ireland combined, with £1.9bn worth of produce exported last year.

The research, by market development consultancy Food from Britain (FFB), showed that drinks and meat were the high performers, with beef sales soaring by nearly 321 per cent to £80.1m between 2005 and 2006 – with Scotch beef accounting for £10m.

Total drinks exports rose by 7.4 per cent to £3.74bn, with beer sales rising 21 per cent to £402m, while soft drinks sales hit £208m.