Scotland exported a record 95,638 metric tons of fresh salmon in 2011, up 22 percent from 2010’s previous record of 78,611 metric tons, the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organization (SSPO) reported on the eve of the European Seafood Exposition. Exports of fresh Scottish salmon have increased five out of the last six years and have nearly doubled over the last decade.
Seven of the top 10 export markets for fresh Scottish salmon grew in volume last year, and the product now reaches 64 countries worldwide.
North America is now the No. 1 export market for fresh Scottish salmon, up 35 percent to 44,454 metric tons. Despite the economic uncertainty there, Europe imported about the same amount of fresh Scottish salmon (39,979 metric tons) as the previous year.
The biggest growth came from the Far East at 6,779 metric tons, up an impressive 894 percent from the previous year, while the Middle East was up 17 percent to 1,562 metric tons.
“With both Scottish salmon exports and global demand for Atlantic salmon at an all-time high, the sector is a major player in the export-led recovery,” said Scott Landsburgh, CEO of SSPO.
