Food & Drink Network Benefits

Food & Drink Benefits & Services

International Trade & Export Documentation

Our international trade team provide advice on worldwide export documentation requirements and trade regulations. Members of AGCC also receive 50% discount on European certificate of origin costs.

Policy & Lobbying

AGCC acts as the voice of business for approximately 1,200 members, lobbying on issues which impact on them. Policy is developed in conjunction with our policy council, an elected group of 27 members representing all sizes and sectors of our membership. Information gathered from the wider membership on an ongoing basis is also fed into policy formation.

Food & Drink Survey Report 2011

Economic growth in the Food & Drink industry plays a vital role in Scotland's recovery from recession and the survey focused on business performance, concerns, priorities and practices, and aims to assess the capability of the North-east to achieve Scotland’s national targets for Food & Drink, as expressed by the Scottish Food & Drink Forum.  The AGCC Food & Drink Survey provides market intelligence which has not been collected in a number of years and is now available to members.

Click here to find out how to sponsor the 2012 Survey Report or contact Seona Shand, Head of Membership.

Free Business Mentoring

Whether you are a relatively new business, or have ambitious plans to grow your business, working with a mentor can kick-start or re-invigorate, giving you immediate access to impartial advice, relevant experience, and a great network of contacts.

For information about becoming or sourcing a business mentor click here.

Events

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce work closely with their members to provide the Ultimate Business Network.  We host a portfolio of around 60-80 networking initiatives each year.  If you are keen to be one of our venues of choice, please contact the Events Team.

Chamber Merchant Services

As an AGCC member you can take advantage of discounted card processing rates and added-value services - negotiated exclusively through First Data Merchant Solutions.  And however you take cards - face to face, by phone, email or via the interent - there's a range of options to meet your needs.  For further information or to apply please call 0800 652 5808.

We’re sure you’ll agree that with these types of benefits for your sector, there has never been a better time to join the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce and become part of the ultimate business network. Non-members please click here.

Additional Benefits and Services

Please get in touch with Seona Shand, Head of Membership, if you feel there are any additional benefits and services the Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce could offer your sector.

---

For more information about the Food & Drink Network and for news relevant to your sector, please visit our website or contact Peter Atorough on 01224 343904 or peter.atorough@agcc.co.uk.

Food & Drink News

Food & Drink News

Yes To Growth

Aberdeen’s licensed premises encouraged to show they are Best Bar None

Scotland needs to say ‘yes’ to growth

Grampian Food Forum heads to Angus for awareness visits

Wasted milk is a real drain on our resources, study shows

New venture to improve farming and retail carbon footprint

Food & Drink news from Scottish Government

North East Scotland: Monthly economic report for April 2012

AXA PPP Health & Wellbeing Newsletter

Could beetroot be the key to a healthy burger?

New chairman announced for Grampian Food Forum

Fine Dining at the Gallowgate

Grampian Food Forum Awareness Visit

Grampian Food Forum Innovation and Technology Event - Reminder

Barn and Bushel restaurant undergoes complete over-haul

Aberdeenshire European Fisheries Fund Programme launched at successful event

Could cabbage hold the key to preventing diseases?

Record high for food and drink

World raises a toast to whisky thanks to an Aberdeen student

Conference provides food for thought

Local chef to give demonstrations at Aberdeenshire European Fisheries Fund launch in Fraserburgh

Osprey launch new website

Food Matters 80

British Chambers of Commerce Export Times - Keeping you in touch with all export news

Fisheries areas development project to be launched in Aberdeenshire

 

For more Food & Drink news, please click here.

Events

Events

Shire Connections Networking Lunch - Friday May 18

Grampian Chef & Restaurant of the Year Awards Dinner - Monday May 28

Pension Auto Enrolment – Are you prepared? - Thursday May 31

Global Mobility - New rules… good, bad and ugly! Lunch 'n' Learn with DavidsonMorris- Wednesday June 6

AGCC Survey & Report

Aberdeen & Grampian Chamber of Commerce Food & Drink Survey

The first food and drink survey carried out by AGCC revealed that the North-east’s food and drink sector is performing well, despite the current economic climate.

To view the full survey report click here.

To view the survey press release click here.

Key findings from the report include:

• Overall, the sector appears to be performing well in the current economic climate, although this may be attributable to caution and increased efficiency;
• While the overall economic environment appears to have had a harsh effect on the sector, factors that are within reasonable control of businesses appear to be well managed;
• The largest population of firms in the sector is that of micro and small businesses although the majority of the jobs in the sector are in larger companies with more than 249 employees;
• Overall employment in the sector has dropped by 2%.  The main reason noted for staff reduction (nearly 65%) was improved efficiencies in running the business.  19% reported staff reductions as a result of reduced demand;
• 65% of businesses reported a growing product range.  50% reported an increase in research spend as well as productivity.  47% have reported an increase in turnover;
• The main challenges faced by the sector are increasing costs and low confidence in the ability to manage them, access to markets, and adequate access to finance. This has resulted in a squeeze on profits down approximately 17%;
• There is significant latent capacity in the sector. 50% of businesses are not currently operating at full capacity;
• The use of social media is popular within this sector and rivals traditional advertising as a preferred means of marketing and promoting the business. In this regard, businesses in this sector seem to have kept up with this particular technological innovation and appear keen to fully exploit its potential;
• Current export rates are low. Only 29% of those who provided feedback actually export, while more than 67% say that they do not currently export. About 4% and 10% currently plan to start exporting in the next 12 months and beyond the next 12 months respectively.

If you're interested in sponsoring the 2012 Report, please contact Seona Shand, Head of Membership or click here for more information.

Library of information

Library of information

Green Club good practice visits to TIO & Macsween Haggis

British Hospitality Update April 2011

Sustainable Food & Drink - Summer 2011 Newsletter

Sustainable Food & Drink - What are Supermarkets doing to Tackle Climate Change?

 

Get Involved

Get Involved

If you would like to be part of the Food & Drink Network, please contact Seona Shand, Head of Membership, for more information.

 

As a member of the Chamber, you can also get involved by sending information on food & drink related news and events to Louise Shankley for inclusion on our Food & Drink Network page.