The Scottish Government has served up a £1.6 million fund to help promote exports of Scottish food and drink.
Food Minister Richard Lochhead said the four year Market-Driven Supply Chain project would be used to support food and drink supplies and build stronger foundations for global growth.
On a visit to West Lothian independent food producer Paterson Arran, he said: “The provenance of our food has never been more important to consumers, and discerning palates around the globe are choosing to eat Scottish produce.
“That is why we have smashed industry-set turnover and export targets six years ahead of schedule, and set a new export target of £7.1 billion in just five years.
“Growth in food exports from Scotland has outperformed that of the UK as a whole between 2007 and 2012 and exports of Scotch whisky were also up by more than 50% over the same period, providing a massive boost to Scotland’s economy.”
Mr Lochhead added: “The performance of Scotland’s food and drink businesses is strong Scotland’s food and drink exports in 2012 reached £5.4bn, the second highest on record but I am determined to maintain that momentum and ensure that, as the industry grows, there are efficient supply chains that deliver quality products to meet consumer demand.
“This funding will support food and drink supply chains to fully exploit opportunities in UK and international markets, particularly in emerging markets such as the Middle and Far East, as well as the key US market.”
Linda McPherson, senior portfolio director for food and drink, tourism and textiles at Scottish Enterprise, added: “Demand for Scottish produce continues to grow across UK and international markets.
“Our companies now trade tea to China, sausages to Germany and our salmon continues to grow in popularity amongst the sushi-loving population of Japan.
“This transformational project harnesses that collaboration and drive to support the food and drink supply chain to fully exploit the opportunities at home and abroad, ensuring our farmers and fishermen are able to realise their potential and move into new export markets whilst supporting existing business.”
Alan Hardie, managing director of oatcake, shortbread and biscuit producer Paterson Arran, said: “The MDSC project will address many of the issues faced by companies as they move to increase these export sales.
“Often when good sales leads are generated they flounder on logistics, or a lack of understanding of how supply chains function.
“Management sometimes struggle to have the time or the expertise to examine supply chains in depth to ensure they can best exploit these opportunities.
“This project will enable this work to be done both for the UK and Export markets, which will be a huge help for Scotland’s food and drink producers.”