Food and Drink
Worth £255m to the Angus economy
Angus has 40% of the class A agricultural land in Scotland
Supports over 6,500 jobs in Angus
Angus has a high profile food culture, supported by a food supply chain including consumers, restaurants, cafes and pubs, food producers and the farming sector. Research found that 40 per cent of visitors who come to Scotland buy food or drink to take home with them, representing a fantastic retail opportunity for quality, authentic and appealing products. “The importance of food and drink to Scotland as part of the overall tourism product cannot be underestimated.” (VisitScotland insight report 2016).
Soft fruit, vegetables, grain, potatoes, beef and lamb are all produced in Angus and exported across the UK and overseas. Fishing has been one of the most important local industries for centuries. The Arbroath Smokie, Forfar Bridie, Aberdeen Angus beef and local distilleries have ensured that the Angus food and drink sector is firmly established in the local and national marketplace. Food production and processing businesses attribute their success to the ability to source raw materials locally, a skilled labour force and effective transport links. This creates key opportunities to further develop niche markets.
The Invest in Angus team works closely with a number of local food and drink businesses and fully supports the Scottish Government’s ambition to double the size of the industry to £30 billion by 2030. The sector has grown in Angus and Scotland year on year, increasing nationally by 78% since 2007. The Invest in Angus team are supporting local businesses that have growth ambitions and acting as a vital conduit between Angus, domestic and international markets and investment from fostering innovative practice and entrepreneurship and supply chain resilience.
Angus Food Growing Strategy
Angus’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and adapting to climate change is reflected across several strategic policies including The Angus Food Growing Strategy 2020-2025 and The Tayside Local Biodiversity Action Plan 2016-2026. Its vision for Angus as a Great Place to Live, Work and Play is under 3 themes of Economy, People and Place reflects improving health and wellbeing, addressing food poverty as priorities to work with communities. Producing more food locally will play an important role in supporting our effort to reduce our carbon footprint in our food systems while providing fresh and nutritious produce for the residents of Angus.
View the Angus Food Growing Action Plan.
Centre for Agricultural Sustainable Innovation (CASI)
The Centre for Agricultural Sustainable Innovation (CASI) is a £15 million bid from the Angus Fund as part of the Tay Cities Region Deal. This is driving forward farm-based sustainable innovation, crop quality, precision agriculture and the development of a neutral spirit. CASI will provide the knowledge, practices, technology and opportunities where farmers can play an important role in new and innovative approaches to food and drink development. Precision agriculture can help meet the challenges of labour availability, technical skill development, soil health, carbon sequestration and the environmental needs of the 21st Century. Global leaders can trial and develop their products in Angus, creating new technologies and investments that will create new high value jobs, reduce farm waste and promote cleaner farms.
Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme
The UK’s first Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will help to recycle billions of bottles and cans every year.
It was announced on 7 June 2023 that the launch of Scotland’s Deposit Return Scheme will be delayed until at least October 2025. See the full statement on the Scottish Government website.
Circularity Scotland has been created to ensure the smooth roll-out and successful operation of the scheme – see their website to find out more.
Sector support
- Invest and support local business, people and infrastructure in a sustainable way
- To foster a culture of innovation, research and development
- Supporting entrepreneurship and business potential for growth
- Promote Angus Food & Drink on the International stage to boost trade & investment
- Offer business premises and land to develop
Contact us by email.
Business promotion
The Visit Angus website lists details of food and drink producers in Angus, in order to promote these businesses to people visiting the area. If you would like a free listing for your business, please complete the online form.
