Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight celebrates tenth anniversary

Scotland’s showcase of the country’s best produce kicks off this week.

Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight begins on August 31 and is celebrating its tenth anniversary.

The Fortnight champions Scotland’s leading food and drinks companies, brands and people contributing to the success of the sector.

Inspiring events the length and breadth of the country, the Fortnight includes Stranraer Oyster Festival, Spirit of Speyside, Foraging Fortnight, Jocktoberfest and Scotland Food and Drink’s AGM and conference.

Food and Drink Fortnight is the country’s biggest food and drink celebration and is a focus for companies to encourage more people than ever to buy, eat and promote Scottish products.

Fiona Richmond, Head of Regional Food at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Scottish food and drink is the envy of producers from around the world, and closer to home, its reputation and demand is increasing.

“Over the last 10 years of the Fortnight, hundreds, if not thousands of food and drink businesses have benefitted from the renewed focus and attention it brings through the fantastic events across the country.

“Now, 82% of Scottish consumers think we produce the best whisky; 76% the best beef; and 75% the best salmon. The Fortnight helps businesses capitalise on those opinions by encouraging more people than ever to buy, eat and promote Scottish food and drink.”

Scottish food and drink is now worth a record £15bn to the Scottish economy and through awareness raising events like the Fortnight, is anticipated to grow to a £30bn industry by 2030.

Fergus Ewing MSP, Cabinet Secretary for the Rural Economy with responsibility for food and drink, said: “Food and Drink Fortnight is a welcome opportunity to bring Scotland’s food and drink industry together, along with producers and consumers from Scotland and across the globe, to celebrate Scotland’s amazing natural larder.

“The industry has gone from strength to strength in recent years – and is well on its way to doubling in value by 2030, to £30 billion.

“However, Brexit threatens to undo that progress, and could have a major impact on a sector that relies heavily on frictionless trade with our neighbours. It’s more important than ever before that the sector comes together to get more people to produce and consume Scottish products.”