07.12.06
2006 Cornish food industry study reveals huge progress and
exciting opportunities
 Farmers,
food processors, wholesalers, retailers and food service operators
are being urged to read the very latest research on the Cornish
food and drink industry and join the debate in the future
policy and market opportunities for this exciting sector which
has seen phenomenal growth in the past three years.
The 2006 Cornish Food Industry Study is the culmination of
three in-depth studies commissioned by the food support agencies
in Cornwall, examining activity, trends and development in
the UK, Cornish and Isles of Scilly food and drink sector.
The report highlights the remarkable growth in the Cornish
food industry, increasing by a staggering 50% from £1bn
to £1.5bn in overall value since 2003. Most of the growth
is in manufacturing and processing where the turnover of a
small number of businesses grew by 80% from £500m to
£900m.
Angie Coombs, Manager, Taste of the West in Cornwall said:
"The 2006 Cornish Study gives a valuable insight
into the huge progress the sector has made since 2003 with
the industry moving in the right direction. But we need to
raise the game and become market leaders rather than followers.
This report will help to focus policy and strategic direction,
identify emerging opportunities and tackle some of the real
problem areas that still exist. There is something for every
sector in this study from the smallest producer to the largest
company. We want to encourage as many people as possible to
log on to our website and read the reports and then take part
in meaningful debate early next year."
Key findings in the report include:
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Significant growth in overall value of the Cornish food
industry, increasing by an estimated 50% between 2003
and 2006, from £1bn to £1.5bn. |
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The turnover of a small number of large food manufacturing
and processing businesses grew by 80% during this period,
from £500m to £900m. |
| |
Agriculture has grown by 14% from 2001 – 2005,
above the rate of inflation and better than the national
farming picture. |
| |
With an estimated growth of £500m against an Objective
One led investment of £240m, the investment appears
to have paid for itself twice over. |
A series of recommendations highlight a wealth of future
opportunities, including such things as:
| |
Tackling the local retail market and finding the best
ways to engage shoppers and create better access to ordinary
locally produced foods. |
| |
Conducting research into the development of new horticultural
varieties and species, taking into account global warming,
local climate and soil conditions. |
| |
Investigating the Cornish potential for the next super-food
by researching the nutritional properties of locally grown
or processed foods. |
The 2006 Cornish Study is a repeat of a similar project carried
out for the first time in 2003. The first part, 'A Review
of the UK Food Market 2006', prepared by food industry
analyst Ruth Huxley, is a comprehensive examination of the
trends, developments and critical issues facing the British
food and drink industry today; the second is an extensive
report by the University of Exeter Centre for Rural Research
on 'Food Production, Processing and Distribution in
Cornwall and Isles of Scilly'; the third and final report
by Ruth Huxley, 'The Cornish Food Industry 2006: progress
and opportunity', examines the findings of the first
and second reports and attempts to draw conclusions for local,
regional and export development.
Food industry analyst Ruth Huxley concludes that the Study
confirms that Cornwall's food and drink sector can claim
significant success and achievement, developing not one but
a number of leading UK initiatives such as the Healthy Boxes
fresh fruit and vegetable scheme lead by Penwith District
Council.
She said: "Food and drink is a fast changing competitive
industry that has to be constantly looking ahead. Those businesses
that do well know that they just can't sit on their
laurels. You have to look forward and innovate. There are
exciting times ahead for those that seize these opportunities
in Cornwall."
The 2006 Cornish Food Industry Study has been funded by Defra
and Cornwall Objective One EAGGF and commissioned by Taste
of the West in Cornwall, Cornwall Agricultural Council, Cornish
Horticultural Enterprises, Organic South West and Business
Link.
The 2006 Cornish Food Industry Study is available in electronic
format on www.cornwalltasteofthewest.co.uk.
For further information, or to become a member of Taste of
the West in Cornwall, telephone 01579 349363.
For further information please contact Jilly Greed of One
Voice Media on 01392 278801 or email: jilly@onevoicemedia.co.uk.
The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles
of Scilly has invested in Cornwall Taste of the West through
the European Agricultural Guidance and Guarantee Fund (EAGGF).
Editor's notes:
Taste of the West in Cornwall is a £5million Objective
One gateway project, funded by the European Agricultural Guarantee
and Guidance Fund (EAGGF), the Department for Food, Environment
and Rural Affairs (Defra) and private matched funding. It
is part of the Taste of the West regional food group. Taste
of the West in Cornwall's project includes a trade development
programme, a marketing grant scheme and a capital grants scheme,
available to small and medium sized food businesses which
produce, sell or process foods in Cornwall and the Isles of
Scilly.
Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439
cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk
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