A new guide designed to help Scotland’s food and drink wholesalers prepare for climate change and build business resilience has been published by the Scottish Wholesale Association (SWA) in partnership with the Adaptation Scotland programme.
The publication, Industry Insights: Climate Change Risks and Adaptation in the Scottish Food & Drink Wholesale Industry, outlines key risks facing the sector – including extreme weather, supply chain disruption and infrastructure challenges – and sets out practical steps wholesalers can take to adapt.
The guide was co-developed with input from 11 wholesale businesses. It includes real-world examples from SWA members such as Bidfood and Greencity Wholefoods, and covers actions like flood resilience, heat and humidity management, and diversifying supplier networks to reduce the risk of stock shortages.
Ylva Haglund, SWA’s Head of Sustainability and Communications, said: “Scotland’s food and drink wholesalers play a critical role in ensuring that food is available across the country. This crucial resource provides them with information, guidance, and tools to manage climate risks, implement adaptation strategies, and build resilience.”
Adaptation Scotland is delivered by climate resilience charity Verture and funded by the Scottish Government. Emilie Wadsworth, Verture’s Leadership Programme Manager, said: “Recent extreme weather events have highlighted the impact the climate can have on our economy, in particular supply chains, infrastructure and logistics.”
