Industry at a Glance
Economic impact
The food and drink industry is the UK’s largest manufacturing sector, and forms part of a diverse and complex supply chain. Our Industry at a Glance publication outlines key industry data which highlight the economic impact of the sector, and also achievements across diet & health and environmental sustainability.
| GVA | Turnover | Domestic sales |
|---|---|---|
| £37bn | £148bn | £130bn |
£3.8bn
11,600
486,500
£24bn
Diet & Health
FDF member contributions to the average UK shopping basket since 2015:
 |
24% fewer sugars |  |
15% less total fat | |||
 |
33% less salt |  |
Delivering 190m servings of fibre | |||
 |
24% fewer calories |
Environmental Sustainability
Members reported a 61.4% reduction in CO2 emissions (1990-2021)
 |
The ambition is to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2040 |
 |
34% less food waste per capita delivered by industry since 2007 | |||
 |
52,000t surplus food redistributed in 2022 – equivalent to 129M meals |  |
FDF members in the UK Plastic Pact raised average recycled content in plastic packaging from 9% in 2018 to nearly 25.8% in 2022 |
Scotland at a glance
Scotland has a vibrant food and drink manufacturing industry - companies in the sector range from thriving small businesses through to major global brands. These companies provide their local communities with a wide variety of careers and are a vital part of the Scottish economy.
Scotland punches well above its weight for a small nation. FDF's national and regional report 2024 shows that in Scotland food and drink manufacturing contributes:
| Total UK food and drink manufacturing GVA | The UK’s food and drink manufacturing turnover | Total UK food and drink exports |
|---|---|---|
| 14.4% | 11.1% | 28% |
The economic importance of the Scottish food and drink manufacturing industry
We are Scotland’s largest manufacturing sector, accounting for 31% of total manufacturing turnover.
Our gross value added to the economy is £5.2 billion, 31% of Scottish manufacturing value added.
Food and drink manufacturing accounts for almost 70% of Scotland’s full supply chain turnover and 36% of the number of people it employs.
1,220
95%
47,000
27%
2,700
£12.8bn
