Sales of salmon in UK retail currently stands at a level of £1.2 billion-a-year, with the high-protein fish increasing its share of the market ahead of the busy Christmas period.
In the 12 months to October, new figures from trade body Salmon Scotland find that salmon made up 29.6% of total UK fish sales up from a level of 28.9% in the previous 12 months, despite lower volumes and higher prices for all food at the checkout.
Almost 68,500 tonnes of salmon was sold, which was 1.9% less than in the previous 12 months.
Overall fish volume purchases were down 5.3% to below 400,000 tonnes for the period.
International sales of Scottish salmon also remain strong, with more than £500 million in fresh and smoked exports in the first three quarters of 2022. Salmon Scotland also learned that fresh export sales in the most recent three months were higher than pre-pandemic levels at £165 million, and only 9% less than in record-breaking 2021.
Salmon Scotland also reports that the proportion of exports to the EU reached 76% in the most recent quarter, “despite the extra red tape caused by Brexit”.
It confirmed that Scottish salmon remains the UK’s biggest food export, followed by bread and pastries, chocolate, cereals, and cheese.
“With food price rises, soaring energy bills and rampant inflation, the fact that salmon has increased its share of the UK market demonstrates the popularity of our fish,” Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said.
“A high level of domestic seafood consumption is not only healthy for the population, but it will also help the economy in some of the most rural areas of Scotland combat the challenges being faced by many at this time.
“Our sector is not without its own challenges, and we can’t hope to repeat the record-breaking performance of 2021, but international demand remains high – particularly in France, where Scottish salmon is recognised by chefs, restaurants and consumers as the best in the world.”
In the first three quarters of 2022, 55,000 tonnes of whole, fresh Scottish salmon was exported. This was 24,000 tonnes less than in 2021 in the same period.
Despite the lower volumes, this equated to almost £450 million worth of exports.
A further £88 million worth of further processed salmon was exported from the UK in the first three quarters of the year, taking the total salmon export valuation to above £530 million.
