Food Secretary launches Scottish dairy brand to the international market.
Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Food and the Environment Richard Lochhead officially launched the Scottish Dairy Brand to the International Market today (Monday) at the Anuga food and drink trade show in Cologne.
The brand and its marque, which were unveiled by the First Minister at the Royal Highland Show earlier this year, have been developed to raise the profile of Scottish dairy produce, add value to milk and take advantage of the increasing international demand for products with a strong Scottish provenance.
Mr Lochhead said:
“I want to see our delicious Scottish dairy produce savoured not just at home but also internationally. It frustrates me that so many overseas buyers aren’t aware of our high quality dairy produce such as butter and cheese. The launch of the Dairy Brand here at Anuga will allow buyers and consumers to easily spot and purchase Scottish produce.
“The dairy sector is vitally important to Scotland and the Scottish Government is doing everything it can to help the industry find new opportunities – that includes introducing overseas customers to the range and quality of what we make, and providing excellent potential for further export growth. The sector can benefit from the growing global appetite for premium Scottish produce with unrivalled provenance, thereby adding significant and much-needed value to Scottish milk production.”
Susan Beattie, head of food & drink at Scottish Development International, the agency in charge of the Scottish presence at Anuga, added:
“Scotland already supplies some of the world’s most sought-after produce to high-end retailers and restaurants across the globe, and with increasing consumer interest in Scottish produce, this is a great time to be launching the new Scottish dairy brand to international buyers, retailers and chefs.
“With our Scotland Food & Drink partners, we have invested in a team of food & drink market specialists based in SDI’s overseas offices, so we have people who can open doors with customers and make connections to Scotland’s high quality suppliers.”
Eleven producers from across Scotland, including Graham’s The Family Dairy and Cambus O’May have signed up to use the Scottish Dairy Brand logo so far, with 18 brands using 40 different products across three ranges: heritage, artisan and organic – all of which are made using 100 per cent Scottish milk.
The logo will be added to products such as cheese and butter and, in addition to signposting shoppers to Scottish produce, it will also help retailers and overseas buyers boost the profile of Scottish dairy produce.
Policy Manager John Armour said: “The launch of the Scottish Dairy Brand at the Anuga Food Fair this week is another significant step for the Scottish Government’s dairy development strategy ‘Ambition 2025’.
“This is Scottish dairy’s first visit to Anuga and marks real progress and ambition within the sector. The Dairy Growth Board is actively promoting the quality and provenance of Scottish dairy across the world and in home markets.
“Importantly, Scotland is also being promoted as a destination for investment in processing and marketing to ensure there is a sustainable future for the Scottish dairy sector.
“These are testing times for many of Scotland’s dairy farmers. This launch will not give any short term price relief to these farmers, but it will be part of the solution going forward providing producers share in the benefits of export growth.
“In the long term, it is obvious that Scotland has a fantastic food and drink story, with exceptional dairy products. To meet the increasing demand globally for premium dairy produce, the work of the Scottish Dairy Growth Board will be essential. NFU Scotland supports the aims of the Board and the principles behind the Scottish Dairy Brand.”
