Fruit and vegetable growers in Scotland have been given assurance on support over the next two years to help improve the quality, market value and sustainability of their produce.
The Scottish Government has allocated up to £6 million over the next two years to extend the Fruit and Vegetable Aid scheme.
Scottish Borders Produce, East of Scotland Growers and Angus Growers will all receive a share of the multi-year funding, designed to help increase their competitiveness in the supply chain.
The scheme enables producers to work together, using investment and facilities to upscale and gain access to the most profitable markets – which might have previously only been available for the larger, more established producers. That means smaller growers particularly benefit from this support.
Background
The EU Fruit and Vegetables Aid Scheme enables officially recognised Producer Organisations (POs), formed on the initiative of a group of growers, to receive financial assistance to help increase their competitiveness in the supply chain.