Source: https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a13df8-6631-72c2-a68e-adfce3303287/award-of-are00126-understanding-the-small-edible-horticultural-industry-in-s awarded GB open procedure # Award of ARE/001/26 - Understanding the Small Edible Horticultural Industry in Scotland [Scottish Government](https://tendernation.io/buyers/scottish-government) Estimated value Not stated Published 18 May 2026 Deadline 23 days left 12 Nov 2026 ## Who can bid - Open procedure Anyone can submit a full tender; there is no shortlisting stage. ## About this tender IntroductionThe Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate of the Scottish Government would like to understand more about the small scale edible horticultural industry in Scotland.Background & ContextThe Vision for Agriculture sets out the Scottish Government’s ambitions to produce high quality, nutritious, local food. Although the edible horticultural industry has long been recognised as producing high-quality food, the sector is varied and complex, and we are now seeking a greater understanding of the sector as a whole in order to identify potential gaps in support.Fruit and vegetables are important for nutrition, and are sectors in which Scotland produces less than its requirements. Increased production would therefore be positive, as would a diversity of businesses in this sector to provide resilience. However, it is currently unclear how significant the contribution made by small producers is, or has the potential to be, in terms of volume, affordability, and reliability.The Scottish Government has one dedicated horticultural support scheme, the Fruit and Vegetables Aid scheme. This scheme relies on collaboration with other producers, and has conditions attached which are perceived as not suitable for some of our smaller horticultural producers. The Scottish Government would like to now focus on those smaller producers, who are unlikely to claim for area based payments, to understand their businesses, in order to consider what potential support could be offered.These smaller producers may be selling their produce via a number of ways, including but not exclusive to box schemes, local independent retail, or to hospitality. Any business model should be considered as in scope of this study, providing they meet the definition set out in the next section.The Scottish Government seeks to understand the different business models which small horticulture producers follow. We wish to know what is successful, what causes failure and what contributions they make to Scotland’s food supply. Read full description Source Public Contracts Scotland · Notice rls-18-MAY555991 [View official notice](https://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAY555991) Never miss a tender like this again Get AI summaries, deadline alerts and a bid pipeline for tenders matched to your business. Free to start. [Track tenders free](https://tendernation.io/register) [Buyer profile Scottish Government: past awards and live tenders](https://tendernation.io/buyers/scottish-government) ## More tenders like this [Electoral Printing & Postage · Wyre Borough Council · 30 days left · 19 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9af7-7182-b421-adefa86b20ca/electoral-printing-postage) [ITT - Recruitment Applicant Tracking System - UID 390M · Historic England · 25 days left · 14 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9b20-7264-be39-cba502acf16a/itt-recruitment-applicant-tracking-system-uid-390m) [Non Clinical Integrated Crisis Model · Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust · 28 days left · 17 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9b5d-738b-8218-2141df568f5d/non-clinical-integrated-crisis-model) [Servicing and Maintenance of Fire, Security and Alarm System · Lancashire County Council · 27 days left · 16 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9bf1-73db-be37-08100cd9ee1f/servicing-and-maintenance-of-fire-security-and-alarm-system) [Provision of Payroll Services · The Pirbright Institute · 30 days left · 18 Nov 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9c0d-709d-81ea-b082c210a292/provision-of-payroll-services) [Grounds Maintenance Contract 2027-2031 · Penrith Town Council · 44 days left · 3 Dec 2026](https://tendernation.io/opportunities/01a15a0a-9cdc-7175-ba62-227d4c8c7bc6/grounds-maintenance-contract-2027-2031)