Scotland's farming sector is well placed to benefit from growing consumer demand for high-quality food, according to a new report from Savills, which argues that future success will be driven by quality and provenance rather than simply increasing production.
The report, Spotlight: Food Beyond Today , suggests the global food system is entering a period of significant change, with consumers placing greater emphasis on nutritional value, sustainability and where their food comes from.
At the same time, the report says farmers face increasing pressure from climate change, policy reform and tighter margins, meaning businesses will need to focus on resilience and innovation alongside production.
Savills believes Scotland is particularly well positioned to respond to these changing trends, citing its internationally recognised food and drink sector, well-established supply chains and policy support for domestic food production.
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The report highlights the Good Food Nation (Scotland) Act as evidence that Scotland is leading the way among the UK nations in embedding food policy into legislation.
Food and farming consultant at Savills Scotland, Hamish Logan said consumers were increasingly looking beyond price when making purchasing decisions.
"Consumers are increasingly looking beyond price alone," he said. "They're paying more attention to where food comes from, how it's produced and the quality of the ingredients involved.
"Those are all areas where Scotland has real strengths. From red meat and dairy to cereals and whisky, Scottish producers have built a reputation around quality and provenance, which puts them in a strong position as consumer expectations continue to evolve."
The report points to Scotland's malting barley industry as an example of a successful value-led supply chain.
Each year, around 900,000 to 925,000 tonnes of malting barley are used by the Scotch whisky industry, supplying around 90% of its barley requirements. Savills says the long-standing partnership between growers, maltsters and distillers demonstrates how collaboration and a shared commitment to quality can create value throughout the supply chain.
Looking ahead, the report argues that investment in technology, regenerative farming, improved water management and data-led decision-making will become increasingly important as businesses adapt to changing market and environmental pressures.
Mr Logan said the emphasis was now moving away from producing more food towards producing better food.
"The focus is shifting from producing more food to producing better food," he said.
"Businesses that can demonstrate quality, sustainability and strong supply chain relationships are likely to be best placed to secure long-term opportunities.
"Scotland already has many of the foundations in place. The challenge now is building on those strengths to ensure food production remains both profitable and resilient for the future."
The report concludes that closer collaboration across the food chain will be essential if Scottish agriculture is to maintain its competitive advantage and capitalise on rising demand for premium food and drink products.
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