Co-operation in Agriculture
Introduction
Scotland is home to some of the most innovative and successful agricultural and rural co-ops in the UK. Common purpose and shared investment deliver extra value to co-op members. The result is that co-ops in most sectors are expanding their market share and output. Co-operation is growing, as more farmers join forces to secure profitability and sustainability from their market position, through businesses founded on fairness, equitability and democracy.
Aggregated returns from co-ops in membership of SAOS in 2006 reported:
- Total throughput: £1.38 billion
- Shareholders funds: £94.5 million
- Profit before tax: £5.2 million
- Employees: 1,931 Members: 44,260
- Follow this link for more detailed statistics
More profitable farming is not the only 'bottom line' for co-ops. Most are significant employers and investors in rural areas, nurturing the development of skills and generating economic activity to the benefit of the entire rural economy. Many serve as sources and incubators of new ideas for rural innovation and development, making a larger contribution to their communities.
Quick links to some examples:
- ACT Ltd; purchasing farm supplies
- First Milk; milk marketing and processing, purchasing farm inputs
- Scottish Shellfish Marketing Group; added value farmed shellfish
- East of Scotland Farmers; grain store and marketing
- Ringlink Scotland; machinery and labour services, training and commodity trading
- Scott Country Potatoes; seed potato production