Food & Drink Sector Celebrated
Research from the Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) has highlighted the global strength of Scotland’s food and drink sector, valuing international exports at more than £7 billion last year – more than six times the amount exported by England, per head of population.
The data shows that Scotland’s food and drink exports were worth an impressive £7.1 billion in 2024, with products reaching 107 countries across the globe, the equivalent of £1,311 per person in Scotland.
In stark contrast, England’s food and drink exports totalled £12.1 billion in 2024. On a per capita basis, English exports amount to just £212 per person, underlining Scotland’s world-leading position in quality and reputation.
The figures highlight the huge international demand for Scottish produce, from our world-famous whisky and seafood to meat and dairy.
However, the SNP has warned that decisions made by successive UK governments, including Brexit and Labour’s trade policy, are placing unnecessary barriers in front of this success and preventing the industry from reaching its full potential.
EXCLUSIVE: Food and drink exports from Scotland last year were more than six times those from England per head of population, research revealshttps://t.co/1h38ykvB0X
— The Herald (@heraldscotland) May 30, 2025
Scotland’s food and drink sector is world class, with whisky, seafood, meat and dairy products highly valued internationally.
GRAEME
These figures speak to the quality of our products and producers, who are punching above their weight on the world stage.
But it is in spite of harmful UK policy that these key Scottish exports are thriving – Brexit and subsequent trade deals in which Scotland is an afterthought hold the sector back from even greater success.
With the full powers of an independent country, we could rejoing the EU single market, negotiate our own deals in our own best interests, and truly unleash this country’s potential.
Notes:
This is sourced from HMRC regional trade statistics, which are broken down by country and by standard industrial classification. The Scottish Parliament Information Centre (SPICe) collected data covering 11 types of exports:
| 00 – Live animals other than animals of division 03 |
| 01 – Meat & meat preparations |
| 02 – Dairy products & birds’ eggs |
| 03 – Fish, crustaceans, molluscs & aq.inverts & preps thereof |
| 04 – Cereals & cereal preparations |
| 05 – Vegetables & fruit |
| 06 – Sugar, sugar preparations & honey |
| 07 – Coffee, tea, cocoa, spices & manufactures thereof |
| 08 – Feeding stuff for animals (not inc.unmilled cereals) |
| 09 – Miscellaneous edible products & preparations |
| 11 – Beverages |
In the full year 2024, Scottish firms exported these types of goods to a total of 107 countries.
These food and drink exports were worth a total of £7.1 billion, which is equivalent to £1,311 per person in Scotland. English exports of the same goods were worth £12.1 billion, which is equivalent to £212 per person.
