What would a YES vote mean for Scottish fresh produce growers?
There is much uncertainty as to what will happen after the result is known, whether the Scots vote Yes or No. This uncertainty is also evident in the Fresh Produce sector. Most agree that if the vote is for the Yes camp there will most certainly follow a period of disruption.
One Scottish exporter, who believes Scotland will keep Sterling even after a Yes vote, said if the vote is for Independence the pound will drop, at least initially, and this would be good news for exports. This was indeed what happened when polls put the Yes campaign ahead last week.
Others however fear that the cost of supplying the English supermarkets with Scottish produce would increase, David Warden from Ian J Warden, who grows soft fruit among other things, said that preference would be given to English produce, which would be bad news in times of glut. Also that products such as potatoes and soft fruit would have less bargaining power.
John Smith from Strathtay Potato Company, said that the issue of currency is the biggest question. Strathtay Potato Company sends 95% of its potatoes to the English market and Smith stated that Independence would certainly throw up some barriers and most likely increase costs.
Another Scottish grower said a Yes vote would be bad for Scottish produce and the country needs to keep links with the UK. He said that what ever the decision attitudes will change and this will have an impact.
One fruit importer in Edinburgh said he didn't think anything would change.
Most seem confident that in the event of a Yes vote Scotland will continue to use Sterling, and threats from London to disallow this are just that, threats. Similarly most agree that a Yes vote would not be positive for the Fresh Produce industry.