With the Scottish referendum date set for 18 September next year, attention is focused on this Celtic land with its natural resources that grows, among many different types of produce, some 2,400 tonnes of raspberries and 4,600 tonnes of strawberries annually.

According to official figures from the Scottish government, farming, fishing and agriculture is worth £3.15 billion to the economy and there has been a 28 per cent increase in sales of Scottish brands in the UK since 2007. Scottish Food and Drink Fortnight, which takes place this year from 7 September to 22 September, is now one of the hottest tickets in the foodie calendar.

While Scotland is undoubtedly important to the potato industry, with over £1 million tonnes of the root crop produced annually, the soft-fruit sector is equally as vital.

So much so, that the Aberdeen-based James Hutton Institute, a government-funded breeding research organisation, and its commercial arm Mylnefield Research Services, are launching a Bred in Britain campaign to raise awareness of the many varieties of produce that started life in the country.

'We want consumers to not only buy British but also buy produce that has been bred in Britain,' says Jonathan Snape, Mylnefield commercial director.

Snape explains that when home-grown produce is not available, shoppers can still help the British economy by buying fruit or vegetable varieties that were developed in this country, for which the UK receives a royalty.

The institute is also at the forefront of research into providing solutions for the soft-fruit industry. At the moment it is looking into ways to increase the yield for blackcurrants – Scotland grows 95 per cent of the UK's crop.

Given the appalling and unpredictable weather the UK has been experiencing, the researchers are also trialling new varieties of berries and potatoes that will be more resistant to extreme conditions.

Peter Thomson, director of Blairgowrie-based soft-fruit growers Thomas Thomson, says there is much to be optimistic about.

'The Scottish soft-fruit industry is looking to recover from three very difficult years caused by poor summers limiting sales and storms causing damage to crops and tunnels,' he says.

'However, its strengths are still in place – producing fruit in a cool climate with long summer days yields some of the best-flavoured fruit available in the world.

'The fruit is local to the consumer, and grown to high standards of production, ethical employment and traceability, so ideal for retailers wanting a clear supply chain.

'The season is different from England, so can fill gaps when England is producing less. This is especially important for crops that have a definite end to their season, like blueberries and cherries, where there is a gap in the world market to be filled.

'There are problems, such as phytophthora root rot of raspberries, jeopardising soil production, and the prospect of living with a Wages Board restricting employee choice after the English Board is abolished. However, enthusiastic and innovative growers will overcome these problems.'

Another organisation concerned with safeguarding the future of the Scottish produce industry is Agrico, the UK seed potato specialist. Although it operates globally, the company's British head office is in Fofar, Angus.

The company has been instrumental in gathering support for the Potato Council's Safe Haven scheme to promote the benefits of working to a short set of guidelines to ensure clean seeds.

Executive director, Archie Gibson says the company is also guided by the Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme (SSPCS) on assisting growers.

It is not just established players in the potato industry that Agrico is helping but also its future with the launch of its Tattie Tastic project, as part of the Scottish Food and Drink Federation's schools scheme, A Future in Food.

The company recently won a Partnership Excellence Award for its work with Glamis Primary School, with children joining the business for a series of interactive lessons designed to teach them all about potatoes, including growing their own.

Agrico is also still a strong supporter of the organic sector through its Bioselect division, which has launched a new blight-resistant variety called Toluca.

Gibson says that they are pleased that the organic market is recovering its position following issues with supermarkets restricting space when the recession hit in

anticipation that shoppers would spend less on the category. The Moray-based growers TIO (This Is Organic) say that they have also seen an uptake in organic produce both in the UK and Europe. 'Our branded sales are rising year on year and customers do value our Scottish provenance – particularly in Europe where we are already active,' adds

a spokesman. 'Organic sales are strong and rising in Europe, less so in the UK but we are pleased that sales have now stabilised here and returned to growth.'

Figures from the Scottish government show there has been a 63 per cent rise in the country's food exports. One brand that has successfully exported into the UK and internationally, Albert Bartlett, says that its experience on the Scotty brand shows consumers both north and south of the border are looking for fresh produce which has clear provenance and is low on food miles.

'There is also an element of being pleased to support the British economy. Scotland has rich, fertile soil, a temperate climate and plenty of natural irrigation – consumers know that our produce has not been forced to grow in a climate unsuited to its nature,' adds a spokesman. 'All of this must be underpinned by rigorous insistence on excellent quality – people might buy our potatoes once because they are Scottish, but the potato quality is what will persuade them to buy them again. We have over 200 new varieties each year in our trial plots and we do have plans for new Scottish varieties, which will suit the Scottish climate and offer taste benefits to the consumer.'

Albert Bartlett continues to say that it believes there is huge potential for Scottish produce. It commissioned qualitative research in January this year on behalf of its Scotty brand, which was carried out in both Edinburgh and London. 'The appetite for Scottish produce was very strong in both locations with Scottish provenance seen as a mark of quality,' adds the spokesman.

'Scotland punches well above its weight in terms of potato supply. The supermarket packing supply from Scotland services a number of depots in England. This is due not only to available tonnages, but also the quality of Scottish produce.'

Produce Packaging also has faith in Scotland's potential growth as a produce supplier, opening a new packaging and delivery depot in Angus.

Managing director Mark Tierney says the company sees the area as a very important and strategic place for food production. 'We feel that there are great opportunities here. Packaging is not just there to help protect the product but also can help to promote it and we're looking forward to working with businesses in the area to not only supply their everyday requirements but also help develop new innovate packs,' he says.

'Our USP is we can provide not just quality products but also ideas that help a business to innovate, both in terms of materials and styles. Our main business priority is to provide our customers with an excellent level of service.

'Through a combination of our depot network, using our own vehicles and having locally based sales and support staff we are able to respond rapidly to a local producer's needs, for example, if a business is supplying a supermarket and there's a change in the supply schedule and they need packing done for the next day, we are just down the road. 'We are extremely proud of our new location and look forward to working with both existing and new customers in this strategically important fresh produce producing area of the country.'

Scotherbs is based just outside Dundee and is fully aware of the need to innovate, citing it as one of the main ways it can distinguish itself in a crowded market.

'We are always looking for ways to present herbs in the most consumer-friendly way,' says founder Robert Wilson.

'Not only through packaging, but variety and also education. Helping people to understand how to use herbs is incredibly important.'

With so much fantastic produce coming out of Scotland and the country's producers and government committed to finding solutions to problems in production while still developing and innovating, there is much to be excited about north of Hadrian's Wall. —