Agri Export Update
The Scottish Agri Export Hub was created to develop new export opportunities and expand
existing export markets for Scottish seed potatoes.
Fruit Logistica 2024: The Scottish Agri Hub returned to Fruit Logistica again this year with
increased collaboration. The stand was sponsored by the SPO and James Hutton Ltd with
support from the Department of Business & Trade. There were representatives from the
sponsoring organisations on the stand as well as a range Scottish seed potato exporters and
soft fruit growers.
Fruit Logistica is an annual event with 3,300 exhibitors and 72,000 visitors from 135 countries
seeking to realise their full business potential within the global fresh produce trade and across
the entire fresh produce sector. Funding allowed for us to take part in a collaborative venture
with the Commercial Horticulture Association (CHA) in creating a commercial meeting space
for Scottish seed potato growers, exporters, horticulture and agri-tech businesses. This
collaboration involved securing a dedicated space for the Scottish Seed Potatoes on the CHA
Pavilion and significantly reduced the cost of exhibiting at the event. The open space was
available to Scottish businesses to conduct meetings in a comfortable, secure and
professional environment.
The stand was very busy for the first couple of days with the final day of the show traditionally
less busy with most visitors heading home. The feedback was extremely positive and we will
try and seek additional funding to attend in 2025 and encourage a greater number of seed
potato exporters to attend the show.
Potential Export Markets: As a result of attending Fruit Logistica, we received numerous
enquiries to supply seed potatoes to new markets such as Ghana, Kenya and Mauritius. These
opportunities are currently being explored directly with the in-market contacts gathered at the
event. The next stage in the process would be to pass any developments onto SASA in order
to ensure plant health agreements are in place to capitalise on the market opportunities that
might arise.
Jordanian Inward Mission: In the previous newsletter I mentioned the communication from
the Jordanian Ministry regarding a potential inward mission to Scotland in the near future. This
remains an existing and developing market with significant potential which we would be keen
to explore further, however no additional communications have been received from the
Jordanian officials to finalise any arrangements at this time.
Rail Freight Group: The Scottish Agri Export Hub presented the opportunity for rail freight
within agricultural products at the Rail Freight Group annual conference. The purpose was to
explore the potential of using the rail network to transport agricultural produce to key markets
by linking the rail and shipping networks. Further discussions with rail freight operators will
take place in May.
Peel Ports (Greenock): Following on from the Scottish Agri Export Hub arranged visit to
Forth Ports (Grangemouth) at the end of September 2023, the opportunity has arisen to visit
Peel Ports (Greenock) at some point in June. The Port of Greenock are very keen to
showcase their ever-expanding facilities within the port to the seed potato export community.
There has been significant investment within the port over the past numbers of years with
new investment in two brand new automated ship-to-shore cranes being installed at the port
this Spring. If anyone is interested in attending the visit in June (date to be confirmed) please
email patrick.hughes@saos.coop