Eleven food and drink producers from the north of Scotland scored a notable first when the IFE food trade exhibition got under way at the SECC in Glasgow today (Tuesday, 4 April).

The eleven companies exhibiting on the 'Highlands and Islands Pavilion' at the four-day show represent food and drink producers exclusively from the Islands of Scotland.

From ice-cream makers and rum distillers, to smoked salmon sausage producers and kipper processors the companies hail from the islands of Shetland and Orkney in the north, South Uist and Benbecula in the Hebrides and Mull in Argyll.

The 'Highlands and Islands Pavilion' is a trade stand that has been organised and co-ordinated by north development agency Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE). It forms part of a newly launched programme called 'Food Connections', geared at generating and increasing sales for food and drink producers in the Highlands and Islands.

Kevin Gruer, senior food development manager at HIE said: "The majority of food and drink producers in the Highlands and Islands are small scale companies, often located in the islands or rural locations on the mainland. Many of these producers have outstanding products, but getting them in front of buyers can be difficult and time-consuming.

"We co-ordinate a number of activities which bring buyers and suppliers together, and the HIE Pavilion is one example. The fact that we have so many island producers on the stand at IFE Scotland shows the value of this approach to companies."

The Food Connections initiative builds on HIE's work of exhibitions, trade missions and buyer events over the past three years which has generated some £3 million (pounds) for the area's speciality producers. A key part of this work is supporting companies undertaking pro-active marketing in the wider Scottish or UK markets for the first time.

Four of the island exhibitors are making their first appearance at a major trade show and have received training and advice on everything from stand layout and sales negotiation with interested buyers, to the all important post-show follow-up.

Kevin Gruer said: "The shows we target are excellent venues for businesses new to exhibiting, where they can develop their marketing skills as part of a group and benefit from HIE's support.

"The 'Highlands and Islands Pavilion' has provided a strong foundation for several companies, who are now seasoned trade fair campaigners. They now have the confidence and skills to exhibit at other trade shows on their own, or at international trade shows under the 'Scottish Pavilion' banner."