Scotland’s experts on farmer co-ops and food industry collaboration, we work with food and farming businesses to make them more profitable, competitive, and sustainable - #workingtogether to shape the future, today.
All our work helps facilitate farmers and food and drink businesses to work together effectively. Over the years we've expanded and developed subsidiary businesses - getting the right people together and making innovative advancements - to help benefit food, farming and rural Scotland.
Developing staff capability is one of the most effective ways to improve a co-op’s performance. Check out our events and training programme - most of which are open to non co-op members too.
As a development organisation, owned by our members, we provide a range of specialist services not available elsewhere, to assist them in developing their people and their businesses. Get in touch to find out how we can help you.
See below for all the latest news, views and updates from us here at SAOS. Find all our latest videos on YouTube at: SAOS - working together in food and farming
SAOS is building on its unique position within Scotland’s agri-food industry to drive organic value chain development and create greater value and agency for Scottish farmers.
As the first year of the 2026 - 2029 Organic Action Plan draws to a close, we look back at some great progress – underpinned by SAOS’s strong network, farmer-led approach and commitment to partnership working.
The 2026-2029 Organic Action Plan is a result of a 2021 commitment from the Scottish government to double the area of organic farmland in Scotland by 2026. This commitment was supported by a new action plan which would become the first organic action plan in Scotland to receive dedicated funding; the plan is supported by a £200,000 investment from the Scottish Government.
The plan was co-developed by sectoral stakeholders, including SAOS, and reflects the shared ambition of the Scottish Government and Scotland Food & Drink: to grow a thriving organic sector that delivers for Scotland’s environment, economy and communities.
A key stakeholder, SAOS was involved in the development of the Organic Action Plan from the beginning. We are now one of the key delivery partners, our main role being to lead the supply chain subgroup with activities ranging from mapping supply chain development opportunities to working with farmers to support co-operation within organic supply chains.
The 2026–2029 Organic Action Plan was developed by SAOS in collaboration with Scotland Food & Drink, Scottish Organic Stakeholder Group, Soil Association Scotland, NHS, Scottish Organic Producers Association, NFUS, QMS, SRUC, Scottish Organic Milk Producers, Chapel Farm, and Greencity Wholefoods.
Having supported the development of the Action Plan, SAOS is now working with organic action plan partners and industry stakeholders to deliver supply chain development projects as part of the Plan; in organic cereals, dairy and red meat. Our extensive network of existing producer groups and co-operatives, our expertise in supply chain development and, most importantly, our farmer-led approach, provide a unique position from which to take this work forward.
This project is ongoing with many more positive developments to come. In these first 12 months, SAOS has developed a very strong understanding of the Scottish organic farming landscape, key challenges and opportunities within different sub-sectors, and what is needed to further develop the value chain. This helps create market potential for producers and bring growth to the sector.
SAOS has also fostered new collaborations across organic supply chains, which opens up further market opportunities and growth for Scotland’s organic sector.
SAOS continues to build on its success as one of the delivery partners of the 2026–2029 Organic Action Plan and work closely with farmers, exploring different ways to collaborate, scope market opportunities and create more value from the supply chain.
If you’re interested in learning more about the 2026-2029 Organic Action Plan, find it here.
We played a pivotal role in a project exploring the use of alternative fertilisers in the Scotch Whisky supply chain.
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We are helping potato growers to become more productive, profitable and sustainable by reducing their environmental impact.
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Helping co‑op grower members on their journey to lower carbon production systems to meet the expectations of both the Scotch Whisky Industry and Scottish Government.
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Exploring intercropping (the growing of two or more companion crops together) as a route to reduce the impact of crop production on the environment and create high value food and drink products.
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MyHerdStats is a service for cattle keepers delivered through ScotEID, Scotland’s statutory livestock registration and movement database (a subsidiary business of SAOS).
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Scottish Land Matching Service - Building Foundations for Future Success
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We were commissioned to undertake a feasibility project to explore the creation of a quality assurance scheme for Scottish Langoustines.
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SAOS supported the creation and development of Scottish Honeyberries Ltd.
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A historic case study looking back at SAOS's role in the creation and development of Machinery Rings in Scotland
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SAOS was closely involved in the ground breaking, collaborative, FastBreeders project
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A historic case study looking back at the success of the Market Driven Supply Chains Project
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SAOS is building on its unique position within Scotland’s agri-food industry to drive organic value chain development and create greater value and agency for Scottish farmers.
Read more