The international appeal of Scottish salmon has grown substantially this year, with new figures published by Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC) finding that the volume and value of the country’s salmon exports increased by 25 percent in the first six months of 2019.
Overseas sales of Scottish salmon for the first-half of 2019 totaled 47,000 metric tons (MT) valued at GBP 319 million (USD 385.3 million, EUR 343.6 million), with France providing the top market by buying GBP 109 million (USD 131.6 million, EUR 117.3 million) worth of the fish. The United States was in second place with imports of GBP 97 million (USD 117.2 million, EUR 104.5 million), followed by China (GBP 37 million, USD 44.7 million, EUR 39.8 million), Ireland (GBP 14 million, USD 16.9 million, EUR 15.1 million) and Taiwan (GBP 12 million, USD 14.5 million, EUR 12.9 million).
Overall, the largest trading region remained the E.U. with six-month sales totaling GBP 153 million (USD 184.8 million, EUR 164.8 million). Exports to the E.U. accounted for 49 percent of the export value and 52 percent of the volume. Trade with Germany and Italy increased by 50 percent and 72 percent, respectively.
“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,” said Julie Hesketh-Laird, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO).
“While France and the U.S.A. are still the largest country markets, we are seeing growth in many mature and emerging markets around the globe from Canada to [the United Arab Emirates], which underlines sustainable, growing demand for salmon.”
Hesketh-Laird added that the “uptick” in overseas exports returned Scottish salmon sales to a level that the industry 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," Hesketh-Laird said. "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 U.K. and Scottish governments work together to ensure that easy movement to our biggest market – Europe – remains available as the U.K. exits the E.U.”
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing has called for Scotland’s aquaculture sector to build on the success of recent years to attract further investment in the country.
Ewing pointed to the increasing demand for Scottish fish, combined with a growing economy, and record amounts of research and development funding – “creating ideal conditions” for further growth.
“There is increasing demand both domestically and internationally for healthy fish and shellfish grown in Scottish waters. In 2017, Scottish farmed salmon was the U.K.’s number-one food export and this year looks set to be another good year for business, with exports of Atlantic salmon up by 25 percent in the first six months of 2019, compared to last year," Ewing said. “Scotland’s economy continues to perform well, with GDP growing faster than the U.K. at the start of the year, exports of goods growing faster than anywhere else in the U.K., and unemployment at a near record low. The Scottish government works closely with the sector, and it’s imperative that we continue to develop that relationship in order to make the most of the opportunities ahead of us to grow the industry in a sustainable way."
