The Scottish food and drink sector generated an annual turnover of £14.8 billion in 2017 – an increase of 6%, or £836 million, on the previous year.
James Withers told the Scotland on Sunday:
“These results emphasize the sense that we are in a golden era for Scottish food and drink. It’s been an unusual year so this has reaffirmed the belief and the ambition that we are doing the right things and we’ve got the right opportunities.
“In the coming years there will be inevitable ups and downs and things outwith our control, like Brexit, but ultimately all the trends are moving in Scotland’s favour.”