Food and drink

Scottish food and drink is loved around the world, from our top-quality salmon to soft fruits and whisky. Could you join the passionate producers working in one of our biggest industries?

What impact could you make?

Make a difference in your career by supporting food and drink production and **feeding the nation**.

There are so many **rewarding, skilled job areas in this exciting industry.** These include engineering, scientific, marketing, customer service and more!

Develop innovative products and technologies to **support food security** and tackle climate change.

Biotechnology's the interface between biology, the biomedical sciences, chemistry, engineering and physics where they all come together. So you might have something that's traditionally a biological or chemical process and it's often applied to things that you can use for humans, so: medicines, food, etc.Kirsty BlackBiotechnologist, Marine Biopolymers

Food and drink at a glance

There are many ways to build a career in the food and drink industry, as well as lots of cool jobs you can do. No matter what your skills or interests are – you're likely to find a job that suits you.

Employment

As of October 2025, there are around 75,000 people working in the food and drink industry across Scotland.

Future demand

Between 2025 and 2028, it's expected there will be 8,200 people needed to fill job openings in Scotland.

Job diversity

As of October 2025, there are 891 Modern Apprentices training within food and drink in Scotland.

Source: Sectoral Skills Assessments 2025 for Food and Drink Manufacturing and Food and Drink Primary Production

Build a tasty career in the world of food and drink

We’ve pulled out some job profiles in the food and drink industry for you to explore. This is a selection from a wide range of possible jobs in this area.

Things you may not know about food and drink

Food and drink is now Scotland's biggest employer and the industry is worth a mighty £19 billion.

Source: Scotland Food and Drink

After whisky, seafood is Scotland's second largest export. It's sold to more than 100 countries.

Source: Scottish Development International

ONE SeedPod is Scotland’s Food and Drink Innovation Hub. Nestled in the north-east, it will boost high-value food and drink manufacturing.

Source: ONE SeedPod

Leaders in food and drink

Discover some of the organisations within food and drink and how they’re making an impact on the industry.

Scotland Food and Drink

Scotland Food and drink nurtures, supports and champions the people and products of Scotland’s food and drink industry.

Visit Scotland Food and Drink

Food and Drink Federation Scotland

Food and Drink Federation (FDF) Scotland represents the largest manufacturing sector in the country. It also promotes the diverse range of careers across the industry.

Visit Food and Drink Federation Scotland

Lantra

Lantra develops training and qualifications in areas such as forestry, agriculture, fishing and landscape – plus more.

Visit Lantra

Salmon Scotland

Salmon Scotland represents the Scottish salmon sector, the UK’s biggest food export. Find out about careers in this sector.

Visit Salmon Scotland Careers

Scotch Whisky Association Careers

Find out about careers in the whisky industry, from distilling to marketing. Get advice and guidance from top global brands.

Visit Scotch Whisky Association Careers

Scotland Food and Drink Partnership

Explore this portal to find out about jobs, careers and what it’s really like working in this exciting sector in Scotland.

Visit Scotland Food and Drink Partnership

Food and drink

What impact could you make?