Total first-sales of farmed shellfish in Scotland increased by six percent last year to GBP 12.4 million (USD 16.6 million, EUR 14.2 million), according to the latest statistics published by the Scottish government.
The Scottish Shellfish Farm Production Survey 2017 confirmed that mussels and Pacific oysters remain the main species produced in terms of value and tonnage with production tonnage increasing by six percent and 42 percent respectively during 2017. Indeed, the 8,232 metric tons (MT) of mussels that were produced for the table market last year was the highest level of mussel production ever recorded in Scotland. A further 4,437 MT were produced for on-growing.
More than five million Pacific oysters were produced for the table and 3.8 million Pacific oyster shells were produced for on-growing markets.
There was also an increase in both queen scallop production (from 155,000 to 273,000 shells) and scallop production (35,000 to 47,000 shells).
However, native oyster production decreased slightly, from 201,000 to 200,000 shells.
The analysis confirmed that the prices of farmed shellfish fluctuated throughout last year, with demand, level of production, and geographic area of origin having significant effects. Overall, the average first-sale price of Pacific oysters was GBP 0.40 (USD 0.54, EUR 0.46) per shell, native oysters GBP 0.60 (USD 0.80, EUR 0.69) per shell, scallops GBP 1.84 (USD 2.46, EUR 2.10) per shell, queen scallops GBP 0.12 (USD 0.16, EUR 0.14) per shell, and mussels GBP 1,226 (USD 1,642, EUR 1,399) per MT.
Consequently, Scotland’s mussel and Pacific oyster farmers earned GBP 10.1 million (USD 13.5 million, EUR 11.5 million) and GBP 2 million (USD 2.7 million, EUR 2.3 million) respectively. The native oyster, scallop and queen scallop sectors saw first-sales of GBP 120,000 (USD 160,670, EUR 136,978), GBP 90,000 (USD 120,527, EUR 102,738) and GBP 30,000 (USD 40,176, EUR 34,245) respectively.
Fergus Ewing, Scottish secretary for the rural economy and connectivity said the new figures showed the continued growth of the sector.
“The sector is now worth GBP 12.4 million, an increase of GBP 3.5 million (USD 4.7 million, EUR 4 million) since 2013, which is great news for our shellfish growers and those in the supply and processing sector who rely on this world class produce.”
Ewing also highlighted that since 2016 more than GBP 6.5 million (USD 8.7 million, EUR 7.4 million) of European and Maritime Fisheries Fund (EMFF) awards have been invested in 30 shellfish projects, which has helped businesses expand and upgrade their equipment.
With the sector “clearly seeing the benefits of this investment,” he said that he would continue to call on the U.K. government to clarify options for the future of this fund post Brexit.
Scotland’s shellfish farming industry employed 146 full-time and 182 part-time and casual workers in 2017.
