Farm Business

Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon has welcomed the publication of new HMRC trade statistics showing overseas exports of Scottish food and drink were worth £8.1 billion in 2022 – the highest figure on record.

With calls for Scottish Government to provide more support to farmers facing soaring costs, Ewan Pate spoke to farmers on Westray about their fears for the future.

Businesses need to have a plan to prosper through the period of change to Scottish farm support, with inflation eroding support payments in real terms across the UK.

Beef prices are continuing to run at record levels, despite strong production and weaker retail demand, with reduced output elsewhere supporting the market.

Consumers are still looking for quality despite the cost-of-living crisis putting pressure on incomes, with historic food scandals still impacting buying habits.

Farmers have been urged to take another look at ‘improved’ Countryside Stewardship agreements as the application window opens to apply for 2024 Mid Tier agreements.

The latest inflation figures may have been unexpected for economists and politicians but they came as ’no surprise’ to food producers.

Indian farmers have called off a protest march on Mumbai over onion prices after receiving assurances from the state Government.

Proposals to tackle the impact of second homes and short-term holiday lets in Wales could hit genuine providers and have an irreversible impact on the Welsh agritourism industry.

LIFFE’s March 23 contract slipped well below £200/t for the first time since early February last year, before the events in Ukraine began