Scottish salmon has retained its position as the UK’s leading food export, with overseas sales reaching £828 million in 2025, according to new figures from HM Revenue & Customs.
Despite a challenging global trading environment, export volumes rose to a record 111,000 tonnes, up 9% year-on-year, confirming Scottish salmon’s continued strength in international markets. The product outperformed other major UK food exports including cheese, lamb and beef.
Growth was particularly strong in Asia, where exports increased by more than 18%, driven by rising demand in China and Vietnam. In total, Scottish salmon was exported to 45 countries during 2025.
Produced in waters off the northwest Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, Scottish salmon is also the largest single food export by volume passing through Heathrow Airport, where it is shipped fresh to global destinations on scheduled flights.
France remained the largest market for Scottish salmon, accounting for 42% of the total export value, although sales fell year-on-year to £337 million. The United States followed closely, representing 40% of export value, with exports rising sharply by 34% to £301 million.
China continued to show strong growth, with exports up 28% to £97 million. Producers are now preparing to access the Indian market following the introduction of a new UK–India free trade agreement.
Alongside export growth, salmon remains the UK’s most popular fish, with retail sales rising 7.2% in the year to August 2025 to reach £1.5 billion.
The salmon sector employs around 2,500 people directly in coastal and rural communities, with a further 8,500 jobs supported across the supply chain, generating around £1 billion annually for the UK economy.
Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, said the figures reflected strong global confidence in the product.
“Today’s exports show the surging global appetite for Scottish salmon, a product widely regarded as the finest in the world,” Scott said. “This success matters for the rural and island communities that depend on salmon farming for skilled, year-round employment.”
He added that while the sector was already heavily regulated, smarter and more effective regulation would help unlock further growth.
Scotland’s Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes said the results were testament to the hard work of salmon farmers and the wider supply chain, while Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill highlighted the role of trade deals in supporting export growth, particularly in Asia.
“Salmon is one of the jewels in the crown of Scotland’s world class produce, and these figures show its hard-earned global reputation for quality remains unrivalled, McNeill said.
