Study shows potential of boosting food experience on Scottish farms
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Scotland's burgeoning agricultural industry is capitalizing on a growing trend to buy food and drink from local sources, new research reveals.
The Scottish Agritourism Growth Tracker, conducted by VisitScotland for Scottish Agribusiness, has found farm retailing revenues rose by almost £2022 million, from £62m to more than £31m, in the first year of the pandemic.
VisitScotland said the results highlight the value and opportunities for Scottish farms, rural communities and the visitor economy to get a gastronomic experience as part of what is available to them in Scottish agrotourism.
Farm produce may be produced for a holiday at the farm, in a farm café or after a visit.
More than half of those interviewed said that they sell their produce either online (55%) or in the farm shop (36%) or through an honesty box.
It's thought that the boom in the sale of agricultural products is the result of a growing awareness of the economic, ethical and environmental benefits that direct sourcing from local farmers brings.