The latest U.K. trade figures confirmed that Scottish salmon continues to be the country’s top fresh food export, but also confirmed that the sector is still being affected by fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit.
The latest data from Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) indicate international sales of Scottish salmon in the first half of this year reached a value of GBP 280 million (USD 339.8 million, EUR 330.5 million), with France accounting for more than half of the total. Compared with the same period of 2021, these sales (incorporating both E.U. and non-E.U. exports) were down by around 8 percent.
Trade body Salmon Scotland said the downturn has been offset by increased demand at home as the pandemic resulted in a shift in consumer habits, and some salmon once destined for international markets is instead going to U.K. retail.
Separate data estimates that sales of salmon in U.K. shops soared to GBP 1.1 billion (USD 1.3 billion, EUR 1.3 billion) in 2021, making it the country’s most popular fish.
According to Salmon Scotland, farmers and producers have faced challenges in recent months, including bad weather at the start of the year affecting harvests, post-Brexit and pandemic-induced labor shortages, cross-Channel trade delays, and a cumbersome regulation system in Scotland that needs urgent reform and streamlining.
The organization called on the Scottish and U.K. governments to take action to support the sector, advocating for a streamlined regulatory system in Scotland developed along the lines of the Norwegian model; measures to address planning hold-ups for new salmon farms; a change to key worker definitions to tackle the post-Brexit labor shortage; and a solution to cross-Channel delays and avoidance of any trade war with Europe.
Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said salmon export sales deliver a massive economic benefit for rural and coastal communities in Scotland, supporting thousands of highly-skilled, well-paid jobs, and helping local areas to thrive, while delivering millions of pounds for the U.K. economy.
“But, like many sectors, we face continued challenges following COVID and Brexit. With Scottish government reform of the cluttered regulatory landscape, and U.K. government reform of labor rules and the cross-Channel set-up, we will be able to deliver further sustainable growth to support our most isolated communities,” he said.
Fresh Scottish salmon accounts for more than GBP 500 million (USD 606.8 million, EUR 590.3 million) worth of fish sales across the U.K. retail market annually, representing around 48 percent of the overall market. It’s estimated that the salmon sector adds more than GBP 760 million (USD 922.3 million, EUR 897.2 million) to the economy every year.
Photo courtesy of tothdst/Shutterstock
