French love affair with Scottish produce flourishing

The French, known the world over for their cuisine, continue to be smitten with Scottish produce as it graces menus and shelves across the country.

That affection for our beef, seafood, whisky and other products was on show as more than 20 food and drink businesses were presented at a special St. Andrew’s Day celebration in Paris on 30 November.

The event was a true celebration of outstanding Scottish produce, with a central focus on showcasing premium island products to influential buyers and guests. Over 350 people from across the French food and drink industry attended the event, hosted by Dame Menna Rawlings, Ambassador, and Mairi Gougeon, Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Islands at the British Embassy.

As well as a showcase of the producers and products from our vitally important and vibrant island communities, Food Tourism ambassador, Craig Wilson, aka The Kilted Chef, cooked up a storm with Stornoway Black Pudding and scallops.

Our stories and innovations are critically important selling points for our products in export markets. Island Larder’s Puffin Poo was extremely intriguing to the guest and received the thumbs up from both the French and Belgians. Hebridean Baker’s book and biscuits (produced by Stag Bakeries) attracted a lot of attention – so many had heard of this now global star who has done so much to promote the islands and their produce, history and traditions. The event also proved to be an opportunity to talk about the revival in salt-making in Scotland, with Isle of Skye Sea salt taking centre stage.

France is one of Scotland’s most important export markets for food and drink. The 2022 figures show that France remained the largest market for Scottish food exports, valued at £714 million and up 7.3% from the previous year. 

Events like this one are a vital selling tool to promote not only the businesses in attendance, but the breadth of the Scottish larder. Our islands, the romance of the stories of food and drink production, and the innovation that they foster are valuable assets in cracking international markets.

The collaboration that many island businesses in particular nurture with some of Scotland’s other leading sectors – textiles, skincare, and homeware – all add value, provenance and saleability to our food and drink products.

Our sector strategy, 'Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World.' demonstrates our ambition and plan to sustainably grow the Scottish food and drink industry both domestically and abroad. Events like the Parisian St. Andrew’s Day soiree are a demonstration of that commitment to building and sustaining commercial links with our biggest export partner.

Thank you to all who attended and helped to make the event so successful.