Scottish growers urged to capitalize on rising demand for fruit & veg
A quest for a healthier diet, coupled with the popularity of exotic food and drink, has fuelled a growth in the sector in recent years. While many in Scotland still fail to meet the “five a day” target for eating fruit and vegetables, consumption has gone up.
Production too has increased, with Scottish Government figures showing fruit production up 86 per cent over the past ten years to a value of £114 million. Vegetable production has grown by 50 per cent over the same period and is now worth more than £122m.
Farmers are also hoping to capitalise on the success of Scotland’s food and drink industry, which is aiming to double its turnover to £30 billion by 2030, by meeting demand for locally grown and sustainably produced products.
Speaking at the launch of the campaign at the Royal Highland Show at Ingliston, Fergus Ewing MSP, the Scottish rural economy secretary, said a task force would be charged with identifying opportunities and challenges for growth in the fruit and vegetable sector, encouraging consumers to choose home-grown products over imported goods.
source: scotsman.com
