Food and drink
The South West is home to over 3,000 food and drink producers - more than any other English region.
Businesses in this sector differ greatly in size, product range and history. Some products are traditional and have a long heritage; others are more innovative, seeking new ways of adding value to the raw materials from the region.
The 20 million visitors to the South West each year spend a high proportion on food and drink and the strength of the tourist industry offers considerable potential for local food producers.
Employment tends to be in small enterprises.
Research* indicates that drivers for development include:
- Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) reform – this has simplified bureaucracy and freed farmers to produce for market rather than subsidy.
- Product and process innovation – major supermarket chains urge farmers and food producers to innovate.
* The State of the Key Sectors Research, Arthur D Little, SW Regional Development Agency 2004
The South West Rural Enterprise Gateway supports the sector by helping rural businesses develop and adapt to change. Taste of the West provides key support for the economic development of the Food and Drink industry throughout the region.
For more information about Food and Drink and to search our Employer Directory please visit our new Graduate Toolkit.
