New HM Revenue & Customs figures confirm that Scottish salmon remains the top UK food export, ahead of Cheddar cheese and other popular British products like lamb and beef. The 2024 export total smashes the previous record of £618 million set in 2019.
Massive growth of more than 60% was recorded in Asian markets, particularly China and Taiwan. Grown in the Scottish waters off the northwest Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, exports were sent to 48 countries in 2024.
Scottish salmon is the largest export by volume that goes through Heathrow Airport, where it travels on scheduled flights to multiple international destinations and maintains its freshness.
France remains the top market, accounting for 55% of the total value of all Scottish salmon exports, followed by the United States (27%).
The new figures come after survival rates on salmon farms in Scotland – where fish spent up to two years at sea – reached a four-year high of 82.3% in 2024 following multi-million-pound tech investments to enhance animal welfare.
This improvement in survival has led to more food being available to export to meet international demand. At the same time, Salmon is also the UK’s most popular fish.
The sector directly employs around 2,500 people in coastal communities, with the supply chain adding another 10,000 jobs – generating hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish and UK economies.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, said that “today’s record exports demonstrate the increasing global demand for Scottish salmon, which is rightly recognized as the best in the world and increasingly sought after by discerning consumers.”
“Producers have also invested hundreds of millions of pounds to further boost already world-leading welfare standards. And, here at home, nutritious salmon is the UK’s most popular fish – helping to improve people’s diets. Scotland’s salmon sector is heavily regulated by the government – we need better, not less regulation. That is the task for government and if that is delivered then we can create more jobs and economic growth,” Scott said.
The published figures for exports of Scottish salmon in 2024 from the HMRC UK overseas trade statistics are:
- Total sales: £844m (+£263.8m, up 45%)
- Total volume: 101,466t (+37,452t, up 59%)
- Top markets
- France: £462m (+£189.9m, up 70%)
- United States £225m (+£85.4m, up 61%)
- China £76m (+£28.4m, up 60%)
- Taiwan £27m (+£13.5m, up 103%)
