Scotch red meat on show at prestige fairs​​​​​​​

Next week will see the Scottish red meat industry showcased at one of Europe’s leading fine food fairs, Tavola in Belgium and then at SIAL America in Las Vegas.

Over 17,000 buyers and decision makers from across the global food chain will descend upon the 500-plus exhibitors from 36 countries at Tavola in Kortrijk, Belgium, with Quality Meat Scotland using their stand at the trade fair to promote the high quality, high welfare and sustainability credentials of Scotch Beef and Lamb, as well as Specially Selected Pork, to importers from around the world.

Gordon Newlands, brands development manager at QMS said that it was “good to get out there” and engage with buyers at one of the first post Brexit and Covid events.

“Exports remain hugely important to us, and Europe represents a massive market for Scottish red meat – up to 90 per cent of our exported products land on the continent.

"As the export landscape shifts, we are continually striving to keep our high-quality product a leader on the global stage.”

Tom Gibson, who heads up the organisation’s market development arm and who is heading for SIAL America said that since it was announced that the US would once again open its doors to UK lamb following two decades of restrictions, QMS had been exploring opportunities to tap into this growing market, which he said was predicted to be worth £37m to UK exporters in the first five years of trade – adding that the international food fair in the US offered and excellent opportunity to do this.