Award-winning agritech business Vanilla Farms has commenced production of the first batch of Scottish vanilla at ONE SeedPod, Scotland’s food and drink innovation hub.
Based in Aberdeenshire, Vanilla Farms is leading the way in sustainable, science-led vanilla production. It recently secured the top prize of £150,000 at Scottish EDGE Round 25, backed by Scottish Enterprise, in recognition of its potential to transform the natural flavour industry.
The company’s disruptive model incorporates ethical sourcing and proprietary technology to deliver consistently high-quality, sustainable vanilla. Its first batch is currently curing and will be available within a matter of weeks.
Founders Gillian and Joe Lane welcomed Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin, and Kevin Walls, COO, Scottish EDGE, to their premises to learn more about their pioneering operations and celebrate their progress in building a world-class vanilla industry in Scotland.
Gillian Martin MSP said: “Vanilla Farms is a shining example of the innovation and entrepreneurial spirit driving our business community in the northeast. By combining sustainable agritech with science-led flavour development, it is creating something truly unique and contributing to a better future for Scotland.”
Kevin Walls, Chief Operations Officer, Scottish EDGE, said: “It is incredibly rewarding to see the progress made by Vanilla Farms following its success at Scottish EDGE Round 25. As winner of the new Mission EDGE award, Vanilla Farms is showcasing the remarkable potential of Scotland’s biotechnology industry and the leading role it can play in both our economic and net zero ambitions.”
Vanilla Farms’ CEO and co-founder, Gillian Lane, added:
“The global vanilla market is worth over £3 billion, yet remains volatile, wasteful, and opaque. At Vanilla Farms, we’re applying scientific precision to one of the world’s most revered crops – curing vanilla in Scotland to unlock its full flavour, origin, and value, with greater sustainability and year-round consistency.
“Our first-of-its-kind vanilla offers manufacturers in the food and fragrance industries a new level of certainty – batch-led, terroir-driven, and traceable from origin to jar.
“Moving to our new premises at ONE SeedPod is a major milestone in our journey. As its first official tenant, we’re proud to represent a new generation of high-impact food and drink businesses redefining what Scotland can bring to the world.”
As the first official tenant of ONE SeedPod, Vanilla Farms represents a new generation of high-impact food and drink businesses set to transform Scotland.
ONE SeedPod was developed and is operated by Opportunity North East (ONE), with funding support from the UK Government, Scottish Government, Just Transition Fund, and Scottish Enterprise. The project represents the single largest public-private investment in the growth of Scotland’s food and drink manufacturing sector.
With 11 food-safe manufacturing kitchens, new product development and pilot kitchens, and a demonstration kitchen, ONE SeedPod is designed to help businesses scale, innovate, and compete in high-value markets.
