NEXT year will be one of the most important in Scotland’s history, Barry Cuthbertson, president of food industry networking association the Scottish Food Trade Association, told the SFTA dinner in Glasgow last month.
Cuthbertson, who is sales and marketing development manager with Müller Wiseman Dairies, said we could expect the referendum on Scottish independence to dominate Scottish society.
But the food industry would also have to deal with many other issues, he added.
“There will be pressure on margins along with rising costs of raw materials. Food costs and food wastage will no doubt be spoken about. Further investment will be required, probably leading to more industry buyouts and mergers.”
But there will be opportunities too.
“2014 is another Homecoming Year,” he said.
“We’re not going to go to the World Cup but why would we when we have the Commonwealth Games here in Glasgow? And in September keep off the A9 because there are a few people playing golf that might cause a few traffic jams.”
