Figures show that Scottish salmon export sales jumped by 9% in the first half of 2023, with major growth in the Asian and American markets.
Salmon Scotland said that the farmed fish, which is the UK’s largest food export, recorded a value of £306 million between January and June.
“The first half of the year has been another period of incredible success for Scottish salmon, reflecting the hard work and dedication of our farmers and the growing demand internationally for our nutritious fish,” said Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland.
“While we face the same challenges as many sectors – including too much red tape, labour shortages, housing supply issues and the impact of climate change – the extraordinary success of our sector is something to be incredibly proud of.”
Success story
Salmon Scotland analysis of HMRC figures show that the largest increases by value were to the USA, China, Poland and Taiwan, while there was also huge percentage growth in the Netherlands, Singapore, Japanese and Spanish markets.
Comparing values in the first half of 2023 with the first half of 2022, exports to the USA are up by 10% to £77m, China up by 57% to £12m, Poland up by 48% to £17m, Taiwan up by 174% to £9m and the Netherlands up by 114% to £9m.
France remains by far the top international destination for Scottish salmon and although sales to the country dipped 5% in the first half of the year, this was more than offset by wider global demand.
Within the EU, the new figures for countries like Poland and the Netherlands – now the fourth and sixth biggest global markets – reflect a growth in other EU hub and redistribution markets.
Overall, non-EU exports rose significantly by 19% in the first half of 2023 to £132 million, with EU export sales up by 3% to £173 million.
In the 2022 calendar year, fresh, whole Scottish salmon export sales of £578 million were recorded, while the record figure was £617 million in 2019.
The new figures indicate that Scottish salmon is heading for another very successful year.
