A multi million pound deal will secure the supply of venison to a leading Tayside food company, securing jobs and promoting product development.
The five-year, £13 million contract between Dundee based Highland Game and Forestry and Land Scotland (FLS) underlines Scotland’s role as the leading producer of venison in the UK – contributing around 3,500 tonnes of wild venison and 70 tonnes of farmed venison each year.
Managing director of Highland Games, Christian Nissen said the deal gave confidence of supply of venison for the firm, while securing existing jobs and allowing growth for the firm.
He said: “This contract puts us in a strong position, giving us certainty of availability and safeguarding what we have, and allowing us to grow.
“We are focussed on offering healthy alternatives and venison is probably the best meat in the world.”
Mr Nissen said much of the venison would be used in the domestic market, where it was no longer seen as a niche delicacy.
He said: “Venison is a highly nutritious, versatile and affordable meat that is no longer a niche delicacy, but is a year-long staple found across the country in restaurants, supermarkets and in home kitchens.”
“Our working relationship with FLS is moving from strength to strength, which is good news for us and good news for Scotland.
“It is has also allowed Highland Game to stay focussed delivering quality of service to our customers and to our ongoing investment in the business and its people.”
Around two thirds of the venison produced in Scotland enters the £100m UK game market, with the remaining third exported to countries across mainland Europe and the increasing USA market.
The contract will see FLS bring 39,000 deer to market as part of its proactive deer management programme to prevent overpopulation.
Highland Game, which now employs more than 100 staff, supplies a number of leading supermarkets and catering distributors.
Simon Hodgson, chief executive of fls said the income from the contract would be reinvested in the work of FLS.
The contract was unveiled during a visit to the firm’s Dryburgh Estate facility by minister for rural affairs and agriculture, Mairi Gougeon MSP.
She said: “Venison is a great Scottish product and this will make a significant contribution to our quality food and drink sector and brings added value to the rural economy.
jimillar@thecourier.co.uk