Matching Crops to Land: Diversification Opportunities Across Scotland

Listed below are some of the most common diversification options available to Scottish Farmers, along with advice on what you should do before making an investment for your own farm. 

Pulses - Building Soil Health and Growing Meeting Protein Demand

As the market demand for protein from all sources increases, pulses such as peas, beans and lentils are receiving renewed interest from Scottish growers. 

Pulses can deliver multiple benefits: 

• Nitrogen fixation and reduced fertiliser requirement 

• Improved soil health and structure 

• Break crop benefits within cereal rotations 

• Growing demand from food manufacturers 

• Expanding livestock feed opportunities 

Field beans have already become a familiar part of many Scottish rotations, while interest in human-consumption peas and niche pulse products continues to grow.

Before You Invest 

Secure a market before planting. Processing and marketing infrastructure remains less developed than for traditional cereals, and quality specifications can be stringent. 

Hemp - A Crop with Multiple Markets 

Industrial hemp has attracted increasing attention because of its versatility and sustainability credentials. Hemp can grow rapidly, helping suppress weeds while adding diversity to arable systems. 

Potential end uses include: 

• Food and health products 

• Hemp seed oils 

• Animal bedding 

• Fibre products 

• Construction materials 

• Textiles 

• Bioplastics 

Before You Invest 

Hemp requires licensing, specialist knowledge and access to suitable processing facilities. The crop's success is heavily dependent on developing secure routes to market before planting. 

Oilseeds - Beyond Oilseed Rape 

While oilseed rape remains important and forms a significant part of many Scottish farmers rotations, increasing pest pressures have encouraged some farmers to consider alternatives. Growing consumer interest in locally produced vegetable oils is creating opportunities for direct sales and value-added processing. 

Options include: 

• Camelina 

• Linseed 

• Niche oilseed crops 

Before You Invest 

Alternative oilseed markets may be smaller and less established than conventional crops, making marketing especially important. Think about joining specialist interest groups or look into funding to support this. 

Heritage and Ancient Grains – Back to the Future 

Consumer interest in provenance, sustainability and artisan food products has created opportunities for heritage grain production. These crops often appeal to artisan bakeries, distilleries, craft food producers and farm shops. Increasingly supermarkets are offering access to products like these as consumer demand for ingredients to cook from scratch still grows. 

Potential crops include: 

• Bere barley 

• Rye 

• Spelt 

Before You Invest 

Yields may be lower than modern varieties, so profitability depends heavily on achieving price premiums. Think about your access to processing facilities and outlets for the final product. To achieve a price premium, direct to consumer may be a more attractive option. 

Specialist Potatoes and Vegetables – not just for the county show. 

Scotland already has a strong reputation for potato production, but diversification opportunities exist beyond commodity markets. Demand for locally grown produce continues to increase through farm shops, box schemes, restaurants/foodservice and the increasing number of businesses offering food ‘experiences’. 

Examples include: 

• Heritage potato varieties 

• Heirloom vegetables – such as purple carrots, coloured beets and unusual gourds. 

• Organic vegetables 

Before You Invest 

Labour requirements can be substantial so consider your access to seasonal labour where required. Storage, grading and marketing systems should also be considered at an early stage. 

Fruit Production: Alternative Berry Crops 

The Scottish climate supports a range of soft fruit enterprises, and Scotland remains a globally recognised producer. Whilst according to Scottish Governments Agricultural Census data strawberries and raspberries account for 63% of Scotland’s berry output, there is a growing interest in alternatives. 

Potential opportunities include: 

• Blueberries 

• Blackcurrants 

• Cherries 

Fruit businesses can provide significantly higher returns per hectare than many conventional arable crops. This is dependent on the use of high quality productive land, access to water and good labour availability. 

Before You Invest 

Labour availability remains one of the biggest challenges facing the fruit sector. Irrigation requirements and establishment costs can also be significant. 

Medicinal, Culinary and Aromatic Crops – Niche or Opportunity? 

Although niche, specialist herbs and botanical crops present opportunities for innovative businesses. Markets can extend beyond traditional food and drink outlets and into cosmetics, tourism and alternative medicines.  

Potential products include: 

• Lavender 

• Chamomile 

• Mint 

• Medicinal herbs/flowers – such as calendula, echinacea, valerian and lemon balm 

• Essential oils 

Best Suited To

• Smaller acreages 

• Diversified enterprises 

• Agritourism businesses 

Before You Invest 

Niche crops require specialist knowledge and a clear customer base before planting. Consider the size of your business and the simplicity of including these alternative crops. In the first instance, they maybe best suited to smaller enterprises on smaller scales because of the harvesting requirements – they could be complementary to diversified enterprises offering wellness retreats, pick your own flowers or photography experiences. Lavender fields have become particularly popular for those seeking the perfect Instagram worthy picture. 

Agroforestry and Tree Crops – Heavy lifting on environmental benefits 

Many farmers have been exploring opportunities to combine agricultural production with trees. These offer a multitude of additional benefits alongside the final outputs including; Climate resilience, shelter provision, biodiversity enhancement and carbon opportunities. 

Potential enterprises include: 

• Apples/Pears 

• Woodland products 

• Agroforestry grazing systems 

Before You Invest 

Returns may take several years to materialise. A long-term commitment is essential. 

Biomass and Industrial Crops 

Some farms are exploring crops linked to renewable energy and industrial uses. Most of these are linked to long term contracts and many can offer low annual cultivation costs. 

Examples include: 

• Miscanthus 

• Short rotation coppice willow 

• Biomass crops – such as rye or sugar beet 

Before You Invest 

Ensure there is a secure end-user and long-term contract in place before establishment. 

Heritage and Niche Livestock Feed Crops 

The growth of regenerative and specialist livestock systems has increased demand for diverse forage crops. These can offer a host of benefits including improved livestock performance, soil health improvements and biodiversity gains. Some of these options may also present a drought tolerance which is worth considering as summers get increasingly warmer. 

Options could include: 

• Herbal leys 

• Chicory 

• Plantain 

• Lucerne 

• Multi-species swards 

Before You Invest

Understand how the crop will integrate with existing grazing, forage systems and the whole farm fit. Think about the soil suitability of your land and your objectives for your livestock (i.e. for weight gain, to extend the grazing season, enhance animal health etc.) 

Land Type	Most Suited To:
Prime Lowland Grassland	• Pulses • Heritage Grains • Potatoes • Soft Fruit • Specialist Vegetables
Mixed Farming Areas	• Pulses • Multi-species forage crops • Hemp • Agroforestry systems
Upland and Marginal Land	• Herbal Leys • Agroforestry • Biomass Crops • Native Trees
Highlands and Islands	• Bere Barley • Herbal Leys • Agroforestry • Small scale horticulture