France was the top market with sales of £109 million, while the USA was in second place with sales of £97 million. Overall, the largest trading region remains the EU, with total sales of £153 million. Exports to the EU account for 49 percent of export value and 52 percent of the volume. Trade with Germany and Italy increased by 50 percent and 72 percent respectively.
Julie Hesketh-Laird, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), said: “This is an excellent start to 2019. The underlying international demand for Scottish salmon remains strong, which is hugely encouraging and supports the reputation that our delicious and quality product achieves globally.
“While France and the USA are still the largest country markets, we are seeing growth in many mature and emerging markets around the globe from Canada to UAE, which underlines sustainable, growing demand for salmon.
“This uptick in overseas exports returns Scottish salmon sales to levels we would expect to see, helping secure its reputation in world markets and safeguarding the innovation, investment and valued jobs the industry supports across Scotland. We must not take this growth for granted. It is vital that salmon farmers have the right home environment in which they can continue to meet the demand from overseas and that the UK and Scottish Governments work together to ensure that easy movement to our biggest market – Europe – remains available as the UK exits the EU.”
The top five markets for Scottish salmon between January and June 2019 were France (£109 million); USA (£97 million); China (£37 million); Irish Republic (£14 million); and Taiwan (£12 million).
