This country's salmon production hits new high

Scotland produced a record 170,022 metric tons (MT) of farmed Atlantic salmon last year, new government statistics have confirmed.

According to the “Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey 2014” report, the country’s salmon output increased by 9.7 percent from 15,788 MT last year. For the same period, its rainbow trout production increased 4.8 percent to 5,882 MT and its brown/sea trout production increased by 4 MT to 48 MT.

The estimated farm gate value of all finfish was GBP 733.4 million (EUR 1 billion; USD 1.13 billion) last year, an increase of 6.2 percent compared to the previous 12 months.

“This record year of 179,022 MT of Atlantic salmon production is great news for Scotland and reaffirms our global position among the leading producer nations. Salmon is a key part of our economy providing employment and investment, particularly in some of our most remote, coastal communities,” said Scottish Environment Minister Aileen McLeod.

“Salmon is Scotland’s No. 1 food export and is highly valued across the world for its exceptional quality and provenance. These figures reflect the great and growing demand at home and abroad for delicious and healthy fish and shellfish produced in Scotland’s clear and pristine waters to the highest standards of best practice, welfare and food hygiene.”

Aquaculture revenue in Scotland is now estimated to be worth GBP 1.86 billion (EUR 2.55 billion; USD 2.86 billion) annually to the economy, an increase of GBP 110 million (EUR 151 million; USD 169.1 million) year-on-year, and supports more than 8,300 jobs.

McLeod said that if the industry’s sustainable growth targets are met the value will rise to more than GBP 2 billion (EUR 2.75 billion; USD 3.07 billion) a year and support 10,000 jobs across Scotland by 2020.

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