Scotland’s food and drink industry is worth £18.9bn and supports more than 115,000 jobs. It is one of the country’s most important sectors, but as we know, it is also facing growing pressure.
We have released a new report, The table is set for growth, as part of our relaunch as Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy (formerly Edinburgh New Town Cookery School). The report highlights the need for urgent, unified action across the industry to unlock future growth and address key challenges.
Drawing on insights from a series of high-level industry roundtables, it reflects our renewed focus on supporting and future-proofing the sector.
At its core, the message is clear: we must move beyond siloed thinking and work together as an industry.
Scaling together
The report calls for a shift from individual survival to collective growth to support food and drink entrepreneurs seeking to scale. This includes improving access to practical expertise across product development, production, operations, sales, and routes to market so that food and drink businesses can scale effectively.
Harnessing the power of food as an economic engine
Food and drink play a critical role beyond business alone. The report highlights the importance of recognising the positive power of food as a driver of national health, food security, entrepreneurship and economic resilience.
Building sustainable careers
Addressing the skills gap through food and drink skills development and training is a key priority. The report calls for a change in how careers in food and drink are perceived, moving away from outdated stereotypes and instead showcasing the diversity, value, and long-term opportunities available across the sector.
Collaborative resilience and change
The industry must take a more unified approach to the challenges it faces. The report highlights the need for stronger partnership working, replacing fragmented and duplicated efforts with collaboration and shared solutions.
As Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne, Executive Chair of Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy explains:
“All too often, solving industry wide challenges is siloed. Efforts are duplicated, insights aren’t shared and solutions are built in isolation, rather than in partnership.”
Tech-enabled, human-led innovation
While technology has an important role to play in improving efficiency and supporting administrative processes, the report emphasises that the ‘human heart’ of the industry must be protected. Creativity, passion, connection, and real-world experience remain central to its success and cannot be replaced.
Closing the gap between education and industry
A key theme throughout the report is the need to strengthen the link between education and industry. This includes increasing partnership working, and creating more opportunities for on-the-job training in food and drink alongside other food and drink training programmes, to better prepare people for careers in the sector.
It also highlights the importance of improving access to practical expertise across the industry to support growth and development.
A call for unified action
The report sets out a clear call to action for the industry to come together and recognise what is at stake.
As Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne shares:
“This isn’t just about filling roles or supporting businesses. It is about recognising the value of the food and drink industry to the economy and the nation’s health and food security and realising the full potential of the people within it.”
With rising costs and ongoing skills challenges, the need for collaboration, shared knowledge, and collective action has never been greater.
Download the report
The table is set for growth provides a clear and practical framework for the future of the Scotland food and drink industry.
Join the conversation
At Edinburgh Food & Drink Academy, we will continue to bring together industry voices through roundtables and events, creating opportunities for collaboration and meaningful change.
Contact info@efda.co.uk to find out more and be part of the conversation.
Media queries: press@efda.co.uk
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