Scotland’s salmon export value in 2025 is significantly ahead of its export value for the same months of 2024 as the country could breach the GBP 1 billion (USD 1.35 billion, EUR 1.16 billion) mark for the first time.
Scotland’s salmon exports through the first six months of 2025 reached GBP 528 million (USD 714 million, EUR 613 million), a 22 percent increase compared to the GBP 431 million (USD 583 million, EUR 500 million) the country exported in the first six months of 2024. The rolling 12-month export value total through June 2025 is up even more to GBP 941 million (USD 1.27 billion EUR 1.09 billion), 33 percent higher than the GBP 706 million (USD 955 million, EUR 820 million) figure it posted at the same time in June 2024.
“These latest export figures show another period of remarkable success for Scottish salmon. They reflect the hard work of our farmers and the growing global demand for our nutritious fish,” Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said.
According to export statistics gathered by Salmon Scotland, the country’s top export market continued to be France, and the country made up 45 percent of all exports by value for the for the full year ending June 2025. However, exports to France in H1 2025 actually decreased 23 percent compared to H1 2024 to GBP 200 million (USD 270 million, EUR 232 million), while overall exports to the E.U. sat at GBP 209 million (USD 282 million, EUR 242 million), which was also a decrease of 23 percent.
Exports to markets outside of the E.U. more than made up for the decrease. Exports to Non-E.U. markets surged nearly 100 percent in H1 2025 to GBP 319 million (USD 431 million, EUR 370 million), up from USD 160 million (USD 216 million, EUR 185 million) in H1 2024. Shipments to the U.S. increased the most in terms of value, rising by GBP 99 million (USD 133 million, EUR 115 million) to GBP 190 million (USD 257 million, EUR 220 million), an increase of 110 percent compared to 2024.
The largest value increase in terms of percentage, meanwhile, was taken by Canada. Scotland exported salmon worth GBP 21 million (USD 28 million, EUR 24 million) to Canada in H1 2025, a massive 1,308 percent increase compared to H1 2024.
Other countries also saw big spikes in export value. Scotland’s salmon exports by value to Ireland reached GBP 8 million (USD 10 million, EUR 9 million), up 294 percent; exports by value to Vietnam reached GBP 4 million (USD 5.4 million, EUR 4.6 million), up 330 percent; and export value to Switzerland reached GBP 1 million (USD 1.3 million, EUR 1.1 million), up 749 percent.
With the big increases to several markets, Salmon Scotland is predicting 2025 will be another record year for export value just after a 2024 which saw its exports shatter value records.
“With international sales approaching GBP 1 billion, Scottish salmon continues to perform strongly on the world stage, especially in the U.S. where demand remains robust,” Scott said.
Scott said that while exports are high, tariffs present a significant barrier to salmon exports. U.S. President Donald Trump’s sweeping global tariffs have varied from country to country, hitting some for higher values than others. Scotland, as part of the U.K., has managed to dodge the worst of it with a 10 percent tariff – on par with fellow salmon exporter Chile but lower than the 15 percent hitting Norway and Iceland.
Scotland Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Mairi Gougeon said reducing those U.S. tariffs is a top priority for the Scottish Government.
“We will continue to press the U.K. Government on the importance of this matter during its negotiations with the U.S. Government,” Gougeon said.
The high export values come as Scotland’s salmon farms are also experiencing the best survival rate on record. According to salmon Scotland, monthly survival averaged 99.12 percent in H1 2025, the best start to a year since mortality data was first voluntarily published in 2018.
“These figures demonstrate our members’ commitment to fish health and welfare, and to responsible farming,” Scott said. “Scottish salmon farmers uphold the highest animal welfare standards in the world, but they are always striving to do better.”
