Scottish vegetable producer bags major £10m funding package ahead of Royal Highland Show
“We’ve built strong momentum over the past two years, and this funding allows us to accelerate plans” – John Inglis, ESG Drysdale
Vegetable producer ESG Drysdale has secured a £10 million funding package to support its continued growth as one of the UK’s largest growers and packers.
An established supplier to major UK supermarkets, the firm operates production and storage facilities in the Scottish Borders as well as in Fife and Angus, spanning a fertile area for growing vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, cabbages, brussels sprouts, leeks and swede.
Delivered via Royal Bank of Scotland’s relationship team, Lombard and RBS Invoice Finance, the fresh funding package will support investment into new production facilities, helping to improve efficiency and increase processing capacity as the business continues to scale.
In 2023, Drysdale was acquired by East of Scotland Growers, a co-operative that specialises in crop planning, agronomy, harvest co-ordination and marketing for members. This is said to have provided the business with greater supply chain control and created a “more direct and resilient” route between farmers and customers.
John Inglis, commercial director at ESG Drysdale, said: “We’ve built strong momentum over the past two years, and this funding allows us to accelerate plans.
“The new funding gives us the capacity to further invest in our production facilities, improve efficiency and expand overall output, while continuing to broaden our crop range and strengthen relationships with key customers. Ultimately, this will support our focus on year-round, seed-to-shelf supply, helping us deliver consistent quality and availability from across our network of growers.”
John Mills, relationship director for corporate banking at Royal Bank of Scotland, added: “ESG Drysdale plays an important role in the Scottish agri-food sector and in supplying fresh produce to customers across the UK. We’re pleased to support the next phase of growth for a business that is strengthening resilience and creating a fairer, more direct link between farmers and key customers.”
The funding package follows ESG Drysdale moving its banking relationship to Royal Bank of Scotland at the beginning of March.
The deal announcement comes days before the start of the Royal Bank of Scotland-sponsored Royal Highland Show, the largest agricultural event in Scotland. The sponsorship is now in its 45th year.
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