The latest figures reveal that Scotland’s salmon, the UK’s largest food export, brought in £431 million between January and June. This rise in export value has been acknowledged by the UK Government, with trade policy minister Douglas Alexander highlighting the sector’s economic contribution. Significant value increases were observed in key markets such as the USA, China, Taiwan, and Singapore.
France continues to be the leading international destination for Scottish salmon, with sales almost doubling due to a recovery in demand following the pandemic and limited supplies during the same period in the previous year.
Salmon Scotland, the industry body, indicated that if current trends persist, 2024 could set a new record for international sales. Within the EU, markets such as Poland, Ireland, and the Netherlands remain important, despite a dip in sales during the first half of the year. This decline, however, was more than compensated by the rise in global demand. Overall, EU export sales rose by 57 percent to £272 million, while non-EU sales increased by 21 percent to £159 million.
According to Salmon Scotland’s analysis of HMRC figures, comparing the first half of 2024 with the same period in 2023, the following export changes were noted:
- France: up 91 percent to £261 million.
- USA: up 18 percent to £91 million.
- China: up 26 percent to £42 million.
- Taiwan: up 41 percent to £12 million.
- Singapore: up 57 percent to £4 million.
These figures suggest that in the 12 months leading up to June, sales of fresh, whole Scottish salmon reached £706 million, a 17 percent year-on-year increase. This growth indicates that the sector could surpass the calendar year record of £617 million set in 2019. Additionally, the volume of fish transported rose by 12 percent, reflecting higher harvest volumes.
Premium ‘Label Rouge’ salmon, which holds the French quality mark, now accounts for around 12 percent of exports. There is an ambition to increase this to 15 percent by 2026, with potential growth in markets such as Germany, Spain, and Italy, where the label is gaining recognition.
Domestically, the UK market for salmon is valued at approximately £1.2 billion annually, with the sector contributing £766 million in Gross Value Added (GVA) to the Scottish and UK economies. The farmed salmon industry directly employs 2,500 people in Scotland, with an additional 10,000 jobs dependent on the sector.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, remarked on the latest figures: "These export results highlight the continued success of Scottish salmon, driven by the efforts of our farmers and the growing global demand for our fish. Sustainably farmed in the waters off the Highlands and islands, Scottish salmon is recognised worldwide for its quality, reinforcing its status as the UK’s top food export. The sector not only boosts the economy but also supports remote coastal communities across Scotland."
UK Government minister for trade policy, Douglas Alexander, added: "These encouraging figures underscore the strong demand for our high-quality salmon in key markets like Asia and America. It’s a testament to the hard work of Scotland’s salmon industry. The UK Government remains committed to fostering economic growth by opening up new markets for Scottish goods and services."
