Top 10 Best Farming Companies in Angus

Angus: A Farming Powerhouse

Angus is renowned as one of Scotland's finest farming regions. Its fertile soils, relatively mild coastal climate and long summer daylight hours create excellent conditions for soft fruit, potatoes, vegetables and cereals. The Strathmore valley, stretching between Forfar and Blairgowrie, is particularly productive, while the coastal plains around Arbroath and Montrose support intensive vegetable growing. Farming here is a blend of family traditions and modern innovation.

The ten companies below represent some of the most influential farming and agricultural businesses operating in and around Angus.

1. Angus Soft Fruits

Angus Soft Fruits is a grower-owned marketing company representing soft fruit farms in Angus and across Scotland and England. Its members produce strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and blackberries for major UK retailers, and its focus on flavour, variety development and quality has helped establish Scotland as a leading berry producer.

2. Angus Growers

Angus Growers is a producer organisation representing soft fruit growers in the region. It supports members with marketing, technical expertise and investment in modern growing systems, helping small and medium farms compete in a demanding retail market.

3. Grampian Growers

Grampian Growers is a farmer-owned cooperative based in Montrose, specialising in seed potatoes and farm inputs. It markets high-health Scottish seed potatoes to growers in the UK and overseas, reflecting the county's global reputation for seed potato production.

4. East of Scotland Growers

East of Scotland Growers is a vegetable producer cooperative supplying brassicas and other vegetables to major retailers. Its members farm land across the east of Scotland, including Angus, and its scale makes it one of the most significant vegetable suppliers in the country.

5. Kettle Produce

Kettle Produce grows, packs and supplies vegetables, including root crops and brassicas, to UK retailers. Its sustainability focus and innovative farming methods have made it a respected name in Scottish horticulture.

6. Scotherbs

Scotherbs grows and packs fresh herbs and salad leaves near Dundee, supplying supermarkets and food service. Its location on the edge of Angus benefits from the same favourable growing conditions that make the region so productive.

7. Castleton Fruit

Castleton Fruit is a leading berry grower near the Angus border in the Mearns, known for its large-scale strawberry and raspberry production and investment in growing technology.

8. Stewarts of Tayside

Stewarts of Tayside is a family-run fruit farm producing strawberries, raspberries and other crops. Its farm shop and retail presence make it a well-known name among local shoppers who value fresh, locally grown produce.

9. Albert Bartlett

Albert Bartlett is one of the UK's largest potato suppliers, sourcing from growers throughout Scotland. Its premium varieties are grown in partnership with farmers, many of whom are in the east of Scotland, including Angus.

10. SAC Consulting

SAC Consulting, part of Scotland's Rural College, provides agricultural advice, research and farm business services. Many Angus farmers rely on its expertise in crop nutrition, livestock health, environmental schemes and business planning.

What Makes Angus Farming Special

Angus combines prime arable land with a strong cooperative culture. Farmer-owned organisations allow growers to share marketing, logistics and investment, strengthening their position in a competitive market. The county's cool climate helps produce slower-ripening fruit with excellent flavour, while its disease-free status for seed potatoes gives it international appeal.

Trends in Angus Agriculture

Farming in Angus is embracing technology and sustainability. Precision agriculture tools, including GPS-guided machinery and soil mapping, are improving efficiency. Tabletop strawberry growing, polytunnels and glasshouses extend seasons. Regenerative practices, cover cropping and biodiversity measures are increasing, supported by environmental schemes. Labour availability remains a key challenge, driving interest in automation and robotics for harvesting.

Livestock and Mixed Farming

While Angus is best known for crops, livestock farming remains important in the upland areas and the glens. Beef cattle and sheep graze the hills of Glen Clova, Glen Prosen and Glen Esk, and the county shares its name with one of the world's most famous cattle breeds. Mixed farms that combine arable cropping with livestock benefit from natural fertility cycles, using manure to enrich soils and grassland in rotations to improve soil structure.

Farming and the Local Economy

Agriculture supports a wide network of businesses in Angus, including machinery dealers, agronomists, hauliers, packhouses, vets and farm shops. Seasonal harvests create employment and bring workers into rural communities, while farm shops and pick-your-own businesses draw visitors and support tourism. Food and drink producers increasingly highlight Angus provenance, turning local crops into jams, gins, crisps and baked goods that reach customers throughout the country.

Supporting the Next Generation

Many Angus farms are family businesses passed down through generations, and succession planning is a growing focus. Young farmers' clubs, agricultural college courses and new entrant schemes help bring fresh talent into the industry. Combining inherited knowledge with new skills in data, technology and marketing will help the county's farms remain competitive and resilient for decades to come.

Final Thoughts

From the berry fields of Strathmore to the seed potato farms near Montrose, Angus agriculture is a vital part of Scotland's food story. The companies above demonstrate the innovation, collaboration and quality that make the county a leader in Scottish farming.