Scottish Bakers, the trade body representing one of Scotland’s most vital industries, has today unveiled its 2026 Manifesto.
The document outlines a strategic roadmap to protect and grow a sector that contributes £1 billion to the Scottish economy, and supports 12,000 jobs across every village, town, and city in the country.
Despite the industry’s positioning as an economic and community powerhouse, it currently faces a ‘perfect storm’ of rising ingredient costs, labour shortages, and surging business rates.
The manifesto issues an urgent call to all political parties to recognise the sector as a critical cultural and economic asset that requires targeted intervention.
Lesley Cameron, Chief Executive of Scottish Bakers, comments: “The Scottish bakery sector is a cornerstone of our national identity and a vital driver for our economy. From the local high street baker to our national icons, this sector feeds the nation every day.”
The manifesto is built upon three core pillars designed to ensure Scotland’s food heritage remains a global leader while serving local communities: Sustainable & Local Production, A Flourishing Workforce and A Fair Business Environment. To read the full Scottish Bakers Manifesto for 2026 please visit: Manifesto.
Lesley Cameron continues: “Our ‘Rising Together’ manifesto is an invitation to policymakers to partner with us. By investing in local milling capacity, reforming apprenticeship funding, and ensuring a fair tax environment, we can protect local jobs and ensure the craft of baking continues to flourish for generations to come.”
With over 600 companies and 1,800 retail outlets, the Scottish bakery sector accounts for a fifth of all Scottish food and drink manufacturing turnover. Beyond the numbers, the industry is a leader in social mobility, delivering 500 apprenticeships annually with higher-than-average completion rates for care-experienced individuals and those with learning difficulties.
