Angus is one of Scotland’s most productive agricultural regions and a national leader in food production, agri‑tech innovation and land‑based industries.
With exceptional natural assets, global brands, strong research capability and significant public investment, the sector plays a central role in the Angus economy and offers major growth opportunities for businesses and investors.
Agriculture, food and drink are cornerstone sectors for Angus, delivering jobs, exports and innovation across rural and urban communities.
Angus’ strength in agriculture and food production underpins the wider visitor economy, supply chain businesses and the move towards clean growth and net zero.
Angus combines traditional farming excellence with modern, high‑value food and drink production. The area is internationally recognised for iconic products such as:
Alongside these established brands, Angus is home to innovative producers in distilling, soft fruit, specialist crops, artisan food and sustainable packaging, supported by a strong local supply chain and links to global markets.
Angus is at the forefront of Scotland’s agri‑tech transformation, using digital technology, precision farming and low‑carbon solutions to boost productivity and sustainability.
The Centre for Agricultural Sustainable Innovation (CASI) is a flagship agri‑tech development, funded through the Tay Cities Region Deal and the £26.5 million Angus Fund.
CASI focuses on:
Angus benefits from proximity to world‑leading agricultural science and innovation, notably:
Key live and emerging opportunities in Angus include:
Angus offers a compelling proposition for agriculture and agri‑food businesses:
Exceptional natural assets and productive land
Strong research and innovation pipeline
Major public investment in agri‑tech and clean growth
Access to skilled labour and supply chains
Proven success in exporting high‑value food and drink
Together, these strengths position Angus as a national leader in sustainable food production and agri‑tech innovation.
Businesses in Angus’s agriculture, food and drink sectors are supported by a joined‑up ecosystem of local authority, national agencies and industry‑led organisations, offering help at every stage – from start‑up and diversification through to innovation, exporting and scale‑up.
Angus Council provides locally delivered business support, acting as a first point of contact for farming, food and drink and rural businesses.
Support includes:
Delivered directly and through national programmes.
Business Gateway provides start‑up and growth support for small and medium‑sized enterprises, including agriculture‑related and food & drink businesses.
Support includes:
Business Gateway operates as the local delivery arm for enterprise support.
Scottish Enterprise supports ambitious, growth‑oriented businesses, including food and drink manufacturing and agri‑tech companies with scaling potential.
Support includes:
Typically supports larger or high‑growth firms.
Scotland Food & Drink is the national leadership organisation for the food and drink industry.
Support includes:
It works closely with local groups in Angus and across Scotland.
Find Business Support is a national online portal bringing together all public‑sector business support available in Scotland.
Includes:
Often used as the main referral route for public support.
Appetite for Angus is the regional food and drink network for Angus, supporting collaboration and promotion across the entire local supply chain.
Support includes:
Covers farmers, producers, processors, hospitality and retailers.
NFU Scotland is the representative body for farming and agriculture, supporting farmers and land‑based businesses in Angus.
Support includes:
Plays a key role in shaping the operating environment for farming.
GrowBiz provides tailored support to rural businesses, including agriculture, food and drink and diversification enterprises.
Support includes:
Focused on rural and community‑based enterprises.
