Supported by the Scottish Government and Scottish Development International (SDI), exports of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon have increased by seven per cent, rising from 7,251 tonnes in 2009 to 7,743 tonnes in 2010. This follows a 19 per cent increase in the previous year.
The Label Rouge accolade is awarded by the French Government to products of superior quality, particularly in relation to taste. Scottish salmon was the first non-French food to receive this accolade back in 1992.
Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of Scottish Quality Salmon, the promotional and management body for Label Rouge Scottish Salmon, said: “This is great news for producers of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon. The strong export trade has been built solidly on provenance, the product’s PGI status and premium taste and quality.
“Its consistent texture, flesh and flavour have allowed Label Rouge Scottish Salmon to hold this top quality award for the past 19 years. Over 22 million Label Rouge Scottish Salmon have been exported since 1992.”
Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham said: “Scotland has a well-earned reputation for our fantastic food and drink and Scottish farmed salmon is central to this success. That’s why I am delighted that sales of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon have continued to rise, demonstrating the demand for this premium product.
“The French are renowned for their exacting food standards and Label Rouge Scottish Salmon – farmed in our cool, clear waters – out performs its competitors for quality, taste and texture. I’m sure it will continue to be the benchmark for top-quality farmed salmon for many years to come.”
Anne MacColl, chief executive of SDI said: “We are working hard to support the Scottish food and drink industry in identifying and exploiting new international sales opportunities and it is a great endorsement of the strengths of Scotland's salmon industry that exports of Label Rouge Scottish Salmon continue to rise.
“With increasing consumer demand for products which tick the health, premium and provenance boxes, we know that buyers and consumers worldwide are starting to see the benefits of buying Scottish fish and seafood, and we are doing everything we can to support the international growth of this industry.”
Although originally dedicated to the French market, Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is acquiring international recognition for its superior quality and taste. During the last twelve months interest has developed in new emerging European markets such as Germany, Belgium and Switzerland. Now Label Rouge Scottish Salmon is to be exhibited in the Middle East for the first time (27th February and 2nd March).
Label Rouge Scottish Salmon will be part of the SDI-led delegations of Scottish companies and trade organisations to Gulfood in Dubai this week, Boston Seafood Show in the USA in March and the European Seafood Show in Brussels in May.
“France is the established market for Label Rouge products however we are receiving increasing interest from emerging European and Asian markets. Gulfood is the region’s number one food and drink event and Dubai is one of the world’s richest cities – we hope to identify niche opportunities for Label Rouge Scottish Salmon in the region,” added Mr Landsburgh.
