The Scottish salmon sector is facing continued challenges following Brexit and the pandemic, according to new HMRC figures.
International sales of Scottish salmon, the UK’s biggest fresh food export, netted £280 million in the first half of 2022, down around 8% compared with this time last year.
However, this has been somewhat offset by increased demand at home with sales soaring to £1.1 billion in 2021, making salmon the UK’s most popular fish.
“There is strong international demand for our unrivalled farm-raised Scottish salmon, making it the UK’s biggest and most important food export,” said Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland.
“These export sales deliver a massive economic benefit for rural and coastal communities in Scotland, supporting thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs, and helping local areas to thrive, while delivering millions for the UK economy.
“But, like many sectors, we face continued challenges following Covid and Brexit.”
Salmon Scotland has called on the Scottish and UK governments to better support the sector, urging them to consider a regulatory system in Scotland along the lines of the Norwegian model, as well as addressing planning hold-ups for new salmon farms, a change to key worker definitions and a solution to cross-channel delays.
“With Scottish government reform of the cluttered regulatory landscape, and UK government reform of labour rules and the cross-Channel set-up, we will be able to deliver further sustainable growth to support our most isolated communities,” said Mr Scott.
