Farm shops, cafes, and gift retailers around Scotland should be booking their tickets to Scotland's Speciality Food Show, which showcases the best in produce from Scotland and around the UK.

Be the early bird and re-stock first when thousands of fine food retailers across Scotland head to this speciality food trade show at the SEC in Glasgow from Jan 20-22, 2019. The show, which is already near capacity, has a huge breadth of exciting food and drink producers.

Renowned for the high quality and innovation of the food and drink industry in Scotland, the show comprises about two thirds of all exhibitors from Scotland with the remainder from the rest of the UK and beyond. Many will be completely new to the trade offering buyers the first chance to taste and see the delicacies.

This show is a ‘must visit’ for food retailers, delis, farm shops, tourist destinations and cafes across Scotland as it is the only chance for sourcing products for the retail and food service industry together in one venue.

The Scottish food and drink industry sales have grown from £10bn in 2007 to £14bn in 2018, with an aim for £30bn by 2030. With a combination of great produce, deep knowledge, a powerful credible brand and strong Government and industry support as the key ingredients to the success of the industry in Scotland, it is key for retailers to ensure they are offering customers some of the most innovative, delicious and above all Scottish products on their shelves.

So why visit Scotland’s Speciality Food Show? Here’s 11 good reasons:

• The variety and quality of exhibitors is exceptional this year with almost a third as new exhibitors, such as Deans of Huntly, Aye Pickled, Puddledub Food Co, Edinburgh Cakes and Jams, Coco Chocolate, The Dessert Depot, Spice Kitchen and many, many more. This show is certainly the place to discover what’s new in the food and drink world.

• The Launch Gallery – here about 21 young, innovative companies will showcase their products such as Hungry Squirrel nut butters, Isle of Skye Smokehouse, Genius Brewing, Libber Tea, Rora Dairy, Pittenween Preserves, Scottish Bee Company and Rebel Chocolate.

• Regional aisles – The Orkney Aisles, a show stalwart, has some delicious producers from the Orkneys, while new this year is A Taste of Shetland, with producers such as Mirrie Dancers chocolates, Lerwick Brewery etc; East Lothian Food and Drink and Invest Northern Ireland, so visitors can source products by region.

• New for 2019 is Nessie’s Den – selected exhibitors will have the chance to pitch their products to three key buyers – Emma Niven from Loch Leven’s Larder, Sue Montgomery from Ardardan Farm Shop and café, and Nikki Castley from The Cress Company – in an entertaining and useful interactive session.

• Established exhibitors are back in their droves with some great new product launches promised from Folkingtons Drinks, Summerhouse Drinks, Crystals Shortbread, Little Herb Farm, The Gin Bothy, Mackies, Brodies Coffee and Tea, Stewart Tower Dairy and Galloway Lodge Preserves.

• Improve your retail skills at the seminar theatre where retail experts will provide workshops and seminars on many vital aspects of retailing such as using social media to get business, how independent retailers can compete against the big boys, visual merchandising, working with digital influencers and maximising the tourist market.

• Foodie Tuesday – seminars and events will be geared especially towards food and drinks on the Tuesday, with a new Food for Instagram talk.

• The best products in the show will be picked out and exhibited in special design cases in the Best Product Awards judged by a highly experienced line-up of judges including Scotland’s Chef Gary Maclean, Alison Niven from Gloagburn, Gillian Allsop from Klondyke Garden Centres and Kieran Austin from Roots & Fruits.

• With the popularity of drinks, especially gin, there has been a rush on stands from drinks companies, including Lundin Distillery, Blackford Craft Distillery, Northumberland Spirit Company, Pixel Spirits, Lussa Gin, Genius Brewing, Teasmith Spirit Company, Coul Brewing Company and more.

• Trading up – Scotland’s Speciality Food Show is run in conjunction with Scotland’s Trade Fair where about 500 gift, homewares, craft, jewellery, fashion accessories, clothing and textile producers will be on display, allowing buyers a ‘one-stop’ buying platform.

• Held at the SEC, in the centre of Glasgow, it is easy to access from motorway, train and airport with many large hotels close by.

Catriona Farquharson, owner of Finzean Farm Shop, in Aberdeenshire said: “Keeping ahead means sourcing new products as well as old favourites. There are a huge range of new products being brought out all the time right across the board – it makes going to Scotland’s Speciality Food Show each year much more fun and exciting and also worthwhile!”

Mark Saunders, show director said: “Following on the back of a good year for tourists visiting Scotland and trying the many delicious foods and drinks we offer, we anticipate a greater interest in Scotland’s Speciality Food Show for 2019. Coupled with one of the most diverse and innovative range of producers exhibiting we have ever had, we feel there will be plenty for every type of food shop or catering outlet.”

Registration is now open so sign up now for your free ticket: www.scotlandsspecialityfoodshow.com