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Publication - Research and analysis

Rural Scotland Business Panel Survey February 2023

Published
17 February 2023
From
Director-General Net Zero
Directorate
Environment and Forestry Directorate
ISBN
9781805255185

This report presents findings from the fourth Rural Scotland Business Panel Survey carried out in October and November 2022.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

4. Markets

Key findings

Three quarters (76%) of businesses were importers, sourcing goods from either the rest of UK (73%) or outside the UK (33%).

Around half (53%) were exporters, selling to the rest of the UK (51%) or outside the UK (24%).

Import markets

Just over three quarters (76%) of businesses were importers, sourcing goods from either the rest of UK (73%) or outside the UK (33%). The majority of businesses sourced goods and materials from Scotland (86%) (Figure 3.1). These findings were in line with those seen in the previous wave.

Figure 4.1 – Markets from which goods were sourced
Bar chart showing 86% of businesses sourced goods or materials from Scotland, with 73% sourcing them from the rest of the UK, and 33% from outside the UK

Variation in import markets

As seen in the previous wave, businesses in the South of Scotland (83%) were more likely than those in the Highlands and Islands (76%) and the rest of rural Scotland (71%) to source goods from the rest of the UK.

Businesses more likely than average to source from Scotland were: food and drink (97%), tourism (94%), accessible rural businesses (90%), and remote rural businesses (89%).

Large businesses (25+ staff) were more likely to source from markets outside of Scotland (88% from rest of UK, 53% from outside the UK).

Export markets

Almost all businesses (96%) sold goods or services within Scotland, with 45% selling only within Scotland. Around half (53%) of businesses were exporters, selling to the rest of the UK (51%) and outside the UK (24%) (Figure 3.2). As with import markets, findings on export markets were in line with those seen in the previous wave.

Figure 4.2 – Markets to which goods or services were sold
Bar chart showing 96% of businesses sold goods and services to Scotland, and 51% to the rest of the UK. Only 24% sold outside of the UK

Variation in export markets

Highlands and Islands businesses were more likely to export outside the UK (29%, compared with 22% in South of Scotland, and 23% in rest of rural Scotland). South of Scotland businesses were more likely to sell to the rest of UK (66%, compared with 47% in the Highlands and Islands and 50% in rest of rural Scotland).

Tourism businesses were more likely than average to sell to markets outside the UK (41% vs 24% overall). Businesses in the creative industries and financial and business services sectors were more likely than average to sell to both the rest of the UK (75% and 66% respectively) and outside the UK (48% and 29%).

Contact

Email: socialresearch@gov.scot

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