This area is home to a diverse range of food and drink businesses. This area is highly specialised in food manufacturing and has significant growth potential in agri-tech – specifically in controlled environment (vertical) farming.
The area’s capabilities in food production are supported and strengthened by the R&D facilities, innovators in sensory, spices and flavour houses, innovative packaging firms and specialist distribution companies located within the region. The South East Midlands sits within the UK’s Logistics Golden Triangle, helping to reduce road miles by using railheads at DIRFT and Northampton Gateway J15a of M1. All major grocery retailers have RDC and distribution networks in the region.
Food security and sustainable food production are increasingly important policy agendas for the UK government.