Food economy

Food and drink production is a large and important part of Scotland’s economy.

• Scotland’s farming, fishing, food and drink sector employs 125,000 people in communities across the whole of Scotland (Source: Food and Drink Growth Sector Briefing, 2024).
• In 2023, 5% of Scotland's jobs were in the food and drink sector (source: Food and Drink Growth Sector Briefing, 2024)
• Approximately 50% of the food consumed in the UK is imported (source: UK food security report, 2021)
• Area of land used for growing vegetables for human consumption – 21,500 hectares (up 7% on five-year average) (Source: Agricultural Census, 2023)
• Median weekly full-time earnings across the Scottish Food and Drink Growth sector were £639.00, which was lower than the Scottish average weekly full-time earnings of £702.80 (Source: Scottish Food and Drink Growth Sector Briefing 2024).
  

There are many food-related businesses in Glasgow, including a vibrant (but small) local food sector, although a significant number of these were not able to survive the Covid pandemic restrictions.

On a small scale, urban market gardens supply some cafés, restaurants and domestic customers. There are also many larger food and hospitality businesses, a number of whom are keen to do more to support a fairer, healthier and more sustainable food system.

In Glasgow:

• 39 venues (shops and cafés/restaurants) are listed in the Glasgow Sustainable Food Directory third edition (Source: Slow Food Scotland, 2024) 
• Weekly fruit and vegetable retail markets take place in two areas of Glasgow (source: City Property Markets, 2024)
• A wider range of produce is sold at farmers markets which take place in two areas of Glasgow (twice per month) (source: Farmers Market Dates & Locations | City Property Markets, 2024)

 This page was last updated in September 2024.