Bakery

Bakery: Rising & Shining

Scotland’s bakery heritage has given the world a rich, appetising suite of delights. Bread, biscuits and oatcakes rank among Scotland’s better known baked produce, but the list of individual products is much longer.

Sweet or savoury, we have you covered 

Scotland’s bakery heritage has given the world a rich, appetising suite of delights: Rusks, crackers, pastries, rolls, cakes and a wide variety of savoury snacks all have a part to play in putting Scottish bakery products on the map – as well as on consumer shopping lists worldwide. From the cereal growers to the flour millers to the manufacturers, our supply chain supports demand for our household names and small artisans. 

Domestic demand 

Domestically, Scotland’s bakery sector is worth more than £1bn to the economy – one fifth of all food and drink manufacturing. Sales to UK supermarkets account for 50% of revenue for bread and biscuits, while exports of bread and other baked produce have their largest markets in Ireland and France. One of our famed products is the humble oatcake. Enjoyed across the world, Euan from Nairn’s Oatcakes shares “The principles are still the same: make the best quality produce we can using simple, natural ingredients. That mindset hasn’t changed since the business started in 1896.”

Shortbread: quintessentially Scottish 

We make almost 12% of all the biscuits enjoyed annually in the UK – with shortbread arguably the most popular Scottish product of these. Pull out quote: As Sarah at The Shortbread House of Edinburgh says, “It’s this crumbly little melt-in-your-mouth delight that's made for you. It’s Scottish, and it's that heart-home feeling.’’

Supported by the experts 

Scotland’s bakers are represented by several trade bodies. These include Scottish Bakers, Craft Bakers’ Association, FDF Scotland, Association of British & Irish Millers, Federation of Bakers, British Society of Bakers and the Association of Baking Ingredients Manufacturers. Quality assurance is overseen and ensured principally thanks to the work of three organisations: Scottish Quality Crops, Food Standards Scotland and Public Health England. 

Sustainability focus 

Every farm growing produce for use in Scotland’s bakery sector is required to develop a biodiversity plan, as directed by the Scottish Quality Crops Farm Assurance Scheme. They’re also encouraged to practice regenerative circular farming through the LEAF Marque Standard. Through the UK Sustainable Palm Oil Initiative, producers of baked goods are shifting away from reliance on palm oil. Emissions from delivery vehicles are being reduced, businesses are increasing their investment in renewables, and with the polystyrene and single use plastic ban that became law in 2022, there’s a renewed focus on eco packaging.