New figures reveal that salmon from Scotland, the UK's largest food export, generated £431 million in value between January and June. The figures have been welcomed by the UK government, with Trade Policy Minister Douglas Alexander praising the sector’s contribution to the economy.
Significant increases in value were seen in the US, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, reflecting strong growth in these key markets. France remains by far the top international destination for Scottish salmon, with sales nearly doubling due to a continued post-pandemic recovery in demand and tight supplies during the same period last year. Salmon Scotland said that if current growth continues, 2024 could set a record for international sales.
Within the EU, Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands are significant markets for Scottish salmon and although sales to these hubs and further processing markets dipped in the first half of the year, the decline was more than offset by increased global demand. Overall, EU export sales rose by 57% to £272 million, while non-EU sales surged by 21% to £159 million.
Salmon Scotland analysis of HMRC figures, comparing values in the first half of 2024 with the first half of 2023, show exports to France up 91%, the USA up 18%, China up 26%, Taiwan up 41%, and Singapore up 57%.
This means that, in the 12 months to June, fresh, whole Scottish salmon export sales reached £706 million, up 17% year-on-year, and suggesting that they could surpass the calendar record figure of £617 million set in 2019. The volume of fish transported also increased by 12%, indicating higher harvest volumes compared to a year ago.
Premium “Label Rouge” salmon – which carries the French quality mark for being the best in the world – currently accounts for around 12% of exports, and there is a vision to grow this to 15% by 2026, tapping into the markets in Germany, Spain and Italy where the quality mark is increasingly recognized.
Separately, the UK domestic market for salmon is valued at around £1.2 billion a year, and the sector’s Gross Value Added (GVA) is worth £766 million for the Scottish and UK economy.
Farm-raised salmon directly employs 2,500 people in Scotland and a further 10,000 jobs are dependent on the sector.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said “these latest export figures show another period of remarkable success for Scottish salmon, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our farmers and the growing global demand for our nutritious fish. Sustainably farmed in the waters off the Highlands and islands, with a top priority given to animal welfare, Scottish salmon’s exceptional quality is recognized worldwide, making it the UK’s top food export.”
