Scotland Announces £9m Support Package for Meat Processing Sector
New grants announced for food processing businesses in Scotland
The Scottish government has announced new funding support for the food and drink processing sector during the annual conference of Quality Meat Scotland.
Speaking in Edinburgh, Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon confirmed the launch of a new Food and Drink Processing Scheme offering grants of up to £400,000 for businesses, provided they are matched by private investment.
The grants form part of a wider £9 million capital support package aimed at strengthening Scotland’s food production and processing capacity.
Gougeon also gave what she described as an unequivocal commitment that the Scottish government has “no policy to reduce livestock numbers,” amid wider debate over agricultural emissions and food production.
Scotland’s red meat sector currently supports around 40,000 jobs, contributes approximately £3.5 billion to the national economy and achieved record exports worth £164 million in 2025.
Source: Scottish Government | 10 March 2026
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