10 Facts About the Scottish Food & Drink Sector You May Not Know

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“If the current rate of growth continues we will have an export rate similar to that of the North Sea oil & gas industry… that is remarkable!” – Richard Lochhead, Scottish Food & Drink Secretary


As a Scottish food manufacturer, Speyside Specialities is part of an industry that is key to Scotland’s economic strength. We are proud to supply traditional Scottish food products to supermarkets around the UK and abroad – haggis, black pudding, sausages and various other traditional Scots puds. In fact Speyside Specialities is the worlds number one oatmeal based white pudding supplier!

We think it’s important to shout about our achievements as an industry, so read on for some impressive facts about the Scottish food and drink sector you might not have known:
  • 40 bottles of Scotch whiskey are shipped overseas EVERY SECOND! 

  • Haggis has been officially banned in the US since 1971! Environmental secretary Owen Paterson made a bid earlier this year to try and have the ban lifted… we are still awaiting news…
  • In the UK we eat 1 million meals made with fresh Scottish salmon EVERY DAY.
  • Annual turnover in the Scottish food and drink sector surpassed £13 billion in September 2013! This figure continues to grow year on year.
  • The traditional recipe for Scotch tablet was sugar and cream (early 18th century). Today it is made with sugar, condensed milk and butter.
  • For Scotch Whiskey to be REAL Scotch Whiskey, the spirit must mature in oak casks for at least 3 years. This MUST be done in Scotland.
  • 1 in 3 Americans believe that the haggis is a real creature that runs around in the highlands … click to read the full legend of the haggis here.
  • The USA is the top Scottish salmon importer, with 60 other countries importing Scottish salmon EVERY year.
  • Scottish beef is worth more than Scottish fruit, dairy and poultry combined!
  • France is Scottish salmon’s second biggest market, and has awarded Scottish salmon the French Government’s top quality award (Label Rouge) for the past 19 years.

There’s always more to learn, so if you know any fun facts about Scottish food & drink, please share them with us!