New Entrants to Farming: Adding Value to Croft Produce – Event Summary

With many businesses now looking to diversification oppurtunities to increase croft income the Uist New Entrants Group were keen to look at the potential of adding value to their produce. Paul Mayfield, SAC Consulting Food and Drink specialist joined the group to give them an insight into the food and drink industry.

Paul stepped the group through the process of getting a product from an idea to market. He highlighted 3 key take home messages for any budding agri-food business:-

• Have a business plan
• Know your market
• Audit your own business to establish what skills you have and what skills you need to outsource.

Putting your ideas into a business plan is a good starting point for anyone considering starting a diversification project into the food or drink industry. It will make you think about the objectives, markets and potential finances of your new business. This will help you to identify any potential pitfalls along the way.

Paul stressed the importance of thorough market research, without a suitable market not enough people will buy your product to make it viable. As well as knowing your market it is also vital to know your own business. Audit your own business in terms of available time, skills and money this will allow you to decide what you can do and what you need to outsource.

Paul concluded the meeting by looking at a number of successful agri-food enterprises and discussed how they had achieved their success.