Funding for food industry

Eleven projects across Scotland have been awarded a share of £3.59 million, enabling companies to invest in infrastructure, upgrade or replace facilities, and purchase new equipment.

The Food Processing, Marketing and Co-operation (FPMC) grant scheme awards follows the announcement last month of a £4 million grant to ABP in Perth.

Welcoming the news, Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said:

“We are doing everything we can to support Scotland’s successful food and drink industry, which continues to go from strength to strength. Our long-term ambition is to double the industry’s value to £30 billion in the next 12 years.

“Each of the companies receiving an award already plays an important role in their local economies, but are demonstrating great ambition to grow and improve their businesses. We’re giving them a helping hand to realise that ambition, creating jobs and driving forward Scottish industry – while ultimately providing consumers with a higher quality end product.”

Daniel Milne, Director of Crafty Maltsters in Auchtermuchty, who were awarded £140,000 to create a new maltings facility, said:

“Crafty Maltsters are delighted that Scottish Government have chosen to support the development of our new business, producing craft malt. It has been a crucial step in allowing us to realise our ambitions: improving the sustainability of our family farming business, adding value to the craft brewing and distilling sector and raising the importance of Scottish cereals in the supply chain.”

Jackie McCreery, Director of Yester Farm Dairies, who received £176,000 towards a major upgrade of their facilities in East Lothian, said:

“At Yester, having already invested in a new soft cheese factory on the family farm in 2015, our business is continuing to grow. As a result we desperately needed to upgrade our original milk processing facility on which all other aspects of the business depend. As our soft cheese and yogurt sales have grown we also needed additional plant in the cheese factory.

“Without the support of the Scottish Government, we simply could not have undertaken this necessary next step in our company’s growth. It will safeguard our existing 30 jobs, will create further employment and will enable us to take on more business and maybe even move into exporting.”

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