Scottish farmed salmon continues to show record export growth, according to the latest figures released as the Environment Minister attends Aqua Nor in Norway.
Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson will be joined at Aqua Nor by representatives of Scottish Development International (SDI), the Scottish Government, Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE) and Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO).
Exports of fresh Scottish salmon have continued to rise and are up 37%, comparing the start of 2011 (January to May) with the same period last year. The Scottish delegation at Aqua Nor aims to encourage investment in Scotland's industry and support sustainable growth.
During his three-day visit, Mr Stevenson will meet with senior executives from some of the major salmon farming companies, as well as Lisbeth Berg-Hansen, Norwegian Fisheries Minister, and Pablo Galilea, Chilean Vice Minister for Fisheries. Norway, Chile and Scotland are the world's top three producers of farmed salmon.
Mr Stevenson said:
"Scottish salmon is a high quality, delicious product that is becoming increasingly popular around the world - as illustrated by the latest booming export figures. Last year salmon accounted for 36% of the value of Scottish food exports, while the industry also provides much needed employment opportunities in our fragile rural communities.
"It's important that we continue to promote this key product and encourage further investment in the industry, as well as working with others internationally on ways to continue improving the environmental sustainability of aquaculture. These are areas I will be discussing with my Norwegian and Chilean counterparts, while also sharing successes Scotland has had in the development of our industry."
