- A £2.2 million package backed by the UK government helps
Central Plains Group (CPG) export specialist agricultural
equipment to its operations in Ukraine
- The financing is supporting the Scottish firm to harvest
40,000 tonnes of potatoes and fulfil multimillion-pound crisping
potato contracts across Europe
- This agricultural shipment opens up new opportunities for
Scottish firms in the second largest potato market in the world,
supporting UK jobs and trade
Central Plains Group (CPG), a Scottish-based farming
company, has boosted exports of specialist agricultural equipment
and potato seeds after receiving a £2.2 million package from UK
Export Finance (UKEF) and
Credit Agricole.
CPG is now harvesting
40,000 tonnes of potatoes in its operations in Ukraine thanks to
the deal and can fulfil several multimillion-pound contracts
across Eastern Europe. This is an important deal for the seed
potato industry, which is worth approximately £113 million to UK
farmers every year and employs more than 11,740 people.
Today at the National Farmers’ Union conference, the Environment
Secretary highlighted how the UK government is supporting farmers
and the agricultural industry.
Ukraine is a major potential export market for UK suppliers of
agri-tech, equipment and potato-seeds. The country produces 20
million tonnes per year and is the second largest consumer of
potatoes in the world.
As one of the top British companies operating in Ukraine,
CPG is an innovator in
the potato industry, supplying seed, table and crisping potatoes
to businesses across the country as well as developing a
state-of-the-art potato starch plant.
, Secretary of State
for International Trade, said:
The level of investment into Scottish exports is at an all-time
high and there are fantastic opportunities for our agricultural
producers to export around the world. The UK agricultural
industry should be proud of the standard of goods it develops,
which are in demand globally.
This deal is an example of what international collaboration can
deliver: helping the Scottish potato sector to thrive, support
production and jobs in Ukraine, and showcase the best of UK
agricultural equipment. I hope that farmers and food producers
alike recognise the huge potential.
Mark Laird, CEO, Central Plains Group said:
This deal is a real game-changer, and will do a significant
amount to open up Ukraine for the Scottish seed potato industry.
It’s been fantastic working with UK Export Finance and Credit
Agricole to support bringing UK equipment to our farming
operations in Ukraine and uphold our highest standards for
premium potato production.
The deal was made possible through UKEF’s Standard Buyer Loan Guarantee,
which covers loans to an overseas buyer to finance the purchase
of goods from a UK supplier and is the first of its kind in
Scotland.
UKEF support for markets
in Scotland has dramatically increased over the past six years,
from c. £36m in 2016/17 to c. £416m in 2021/2022. It remains a
high priority and in September, UKEF opened new Trade and Investment
offices in the country to help level up export growth and support
local jobs.
UK Government Minister for Scotland Malcolm Offord
said:
Backed by the UK Government, this export deal is great news for
the Scottish seed potato sector, offering a boost to business and
supporting agricultural jobs in Scotland.
Financial support from UK Export Finance is supporting Scottish
businesses in a range of sectors to export internationally. As
the UK Government continues to strike new trade deals around the
world, this will further help our businesses expand into global
markets.
