An agreement between the Scottish and Chinese governments will allow Scottish salmon exports into China for the first time.
Scotland's fish farming industry already supports 6,000 jobs in Scotland worth £500 million to the economy, with exports worth nearly £300 million.
Chinese demand for salmon and salmon products is already large - more than 150 per cent of total Scottish output. Demand for Atlantic salmon is expanding fast, up by 42 per cent in 2009 to 8,000 tonnes. China is one of the world's largest seafood markets.
A range of Scottish fisheries products are now to be granted the certificate by AQSIQ, the Chinese ministerial administrative department in charge of import-export food safety, certification and accreditation and standardisation.
Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead said "This is a very welcome announcement from China that will boost sales of top quality and sought after Scottish seafood products. It provides a major boost for a crucial Scottish industry, strengthening efforts both to increase exports in a key market and to secure jobs across Scotland.”
First Minister Alex Salmond said "It's great news. It's something that was confirmed to me by Vice-Premier Li and that is that the Chinese market is open for Scottish salmon. And as the vice-premier was pointing out as he enjoyed our marvellous product, he was pointing out that even if 1 per cent of the people of China decide to take the opportunity to eat Scottish salmon, then we'll have to double production in Scotland."
