ORGANISERS OF the annual AgriScot trade fair have welcomed a survey indicating that the vast majority of those who attended last November’s record breaking event were there to do business.

Martin Dare, the man behind AgriScot, described the survey’s findings as a tremendous endorsement of the event. Last year’s success came despite the country being wrapped in a recession and even although he recognised times were tough in the farming industry, he was sure AgriScot 2010 would deliver an exciting prospect for UK farmers.

“Plans are already underway to further develop the appeal of the event. We intend providing a full day of interest and advice for visitors to help them develop their business while at the same time we will retain free entrance and parking.”

Mr Dare, speaking just prior to the Exhibitor Pack for this year’s show going out to potential customers, said he was also very pleased that 98% of exhibitors at last year’s event had indicated they wanted to come back, with 15% of those returners saying they wanted more space.

“To encourage support from the trade we have held trade stand prices at last year’s level,” he added. Both the Highland and Lowland halls at Ingliston were full last year, with more than 210 trade stands.

The independent survey, carried out by Napier University, also revealed that 95% of the visitors interviewed stated that the show had either met or exceeded their expectations. While AgriScot started life as a specialist dairy event and still continues to attract the top exhibitors to its high quality dairy competition, the show now attracts a wide range of visitors, with the survey showing beef farmers predominated, followed by those in the dairy sector. Arable, pig and poultry farmers also attended in large numbers.