Food and drink
Collaboration allows producers and suppliers of food and drink products to benefit from purchasing, supply chain and marketing efficiencies.
For example, agricultural machinery rings allow groups of farmers to share the cost of purchasing equipment and labour.
First Milk, the largest dairy farmers' co-operative in the UK, allows 3,000 farmers to process and sell their produce more effectively.
Argyll Food Producers is a co-operative formed by ten food and drink producers across Argyll and the islands to market their produce across Scotland.
A shared interest in ethical production is often a key element in this sector.
Workers' co-operatives, such as GreenCity Wholefoods, and employee-owned businesses such as Loch Fyne Oysters, strive to benefit their communities and the environment as well as their employee-owners.
Our information sheet has more examples of opportunities that co-operative models can bring food and drink companies.
Co-operative for growth: Growing Scotland's food and drink sector (865kb)