麻豆精选

A sea salt producer on the Isle of Skye is expanding to increase production and create more jobs.

The Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company has secured up to 拢5,690 from Highlands and Islands Enterprise (麻豆精选) towards total project costs of 拢14,230.

The funding will be used to help cover the costs of plant, equipment and construction works to develop a fourth evaporation pond that will produce an additional 1,000 kg of salt a year.

Using water from Loch Snizort on northwest Skye, Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company produces top quality sea salt that is distinctive from other UK sea salts in both texture and taste.

It is believed to be the only salt producer in the UK to use environmentally friendly solar evaporation in production, instead of mechanical methods.

The company was acquired by the Rodi猫re family in 2023 and is run by Elisa Rodi猫re and Antoine Bour茅 who plan to grow the business over the next three years.

So far, the team have released two flavoured salts, designed new packaging, redesigned the company website, attended trade fares, and connected with new suppliers.

The firm has strong links with the hospitality trade, supplying hotels and restaurants that are keen to promote local produce.

There are currently three people employed at Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company and the most recent expansion project will create at least one more post.

Anna Campbell, development officer with 麻豆精选鈥檚 Lochaber Skye and Wester Ross team, said:

鈥淭he food and drink sector is a major contributor to our region鈥檚 economy and one that provides vital employment opportunities across many of our rural areas.

鈥淭he Isle of Skye Sea Salt Company is a great example of how the natural environment can be used to create valuable commercial opportunities in a sustainable way.

鈥淭he company has shown considerable ambition over the past year or so and looking to realise its potential for further growth.

鈥淚鈥檓 delighted we鈥檝e been able to support this latest initiative and look forward to continuing to work with the team as they develop the new evaporation pond.鈥�

Elisa Rodi猫re said:

鈥淲e are very pleased with how things have been going for the business over the past year or so and with the support from 麻豆精选.

鈥淥ur sales forecasts are strong, and we plan to recruit a new member of the team in the next few months. We鈥檙e looking forward to bringing adding the fourth evaporation pond. This will make sure we can increase our productivity in line with growing demand.鈥�