Food and Drink Careers

Food and drink is one of the largest industry sectors in Scotland.

Since 2007 food and drink has grown to become one of the most successful sectors in Scotland.

Food and drink is now Scotland’s biggest employer and the industry is worth £15 billion.

  • +40% increase in sales of Scottish brands in the UK
  • £15bn is the value of the food and drink industry
  • +86% new business startups in 7 years
  • +43% Food productivity up since 2007

  • Employment in the Food and Drink growth sector stood at 125,000 in 2022, accounting for 4.8% of employment in Scotland and 14.1% of employment in Food and Drink across Great Britain.
  • The gross value added to the economy by the food and drink sector is £3.9 billion, 27% of Scottish manufacturing value added.
  • Scotland has 1,285 food and drink manufacturing businesses.
  • 200% increase in food exports in the last 10 years
  • Scottish food and drink manufacturing will need 7000 new recruits by 2033

Scotland Food & Drink

Scotland Food & Drink Partnership new industry strategy

Scottish facts and stats | The Food & Drink Federation

The Scottish Food and Drink Federation website has a dedicated page that links to all the food education partners that can support teachers  to deliver food education in the classroom. They also have Food Science videos developed to support the Higher Chemistry curriculum and these mention careers too. They also have a YouTube site with more career videos and ‘inside industry films’.