Members of a Danish farmers co-operative recently enjoyed a packed three-day tour of the Angus potato industry.

The delegates were members of KMC, a Denmark potato farmers co-operative which specialises in growing 30,000ha of potatoes for starch production. The visiting Danes enjoyed a packed itinerary organised and hosted by Forfar-based precision agri-tech company, SoilEssentials.

Charlotte Hou from KMC commented: “For more than 80 years, we have been growing, developing, and producing potato-based ingredients for the global food industry – serving more than 80 countries across the globe.

“We are always keen to learn of new innovation in the industry, and our tour of Angus has given us that, whilst also showing us the beautiful Scottish countryside.”

The delegation's tour began as soon as they landed in Aberdeen, when they were whisked off to enjoy the coastal route southwards passing Dunnottar Castle, taking them to their first stop at the newly opened Arbikie Distillery, overlooking Lunan Bay, followed by a neighbouring business diversification at Upper Dysart Larder.

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Day two of the tour saw the group visit SoilEssentials itself to learn about the latest in precision technology, then the Scanstone factory to see soil preparation and root crop harvesting machinery under construction, and finally the Ogilvy Distillery to learn how locally grown potatoes are distilled into premium Scottish vodka.

The third day of the tour included visits to the world-renowned James Hutton Institute at Dundee, lunch at Glamis Castle and a visit to Scottish Agronomy, which is itself a farmer owned co-op.

Managing director at SoilEssentials, Jim Wilson, commented:“It was a pleasure for us to host the KMC delegation. We are in such a fabulous corner of Scotland for the potato industry, and it was great to be able to showcase that to overseas visitors. I would love to think that this will lead to stronger connections in future, in future projects and potentially increased business and trade too.”