There is strong business confidence in Scotland’s salmon farming industry with employment up by 13 percent, capital investment staying at GBP 63 million (USD 82.8 million, EUR 71.6 million) for the second year running and more than GBP 390 million (USD 512.7 million, EUR 443.3 million) spent in the supply chain, finds a new report compiled by the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO).
SSPO said the economic impact is particularly evident in the Highlands and Islands where GBP 164 million (USD 215.6 million, EUR 186.4 million) was spent directly with local businesses. In total, wages increased by 5 percent to a total of almost GBP 75 million (USD 98.6 million, EUR 85.3 million).
“Scottish salmon is now both Scotland’s and the United Kingdom’s top food export and the wholesale recognition of its quality and provenance has continued to boost industry’s investment confidence. For the second year, capital investment is sitting at GBP 63 million and nearly 3,500 Scottish companies are benefiting from doing business with salmon farmers. I’m especially pleased to see more recruitment and that 91 percent of jobs are full-time,” said Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation.
“This is a major boost for the Scottish economy, but for the Highlands and Islands it is a vital economic and social support. In addition to the business of salmon farming and the demonstrable benefits that brings, the industry is also committed to supporting local communities where staff and their families live and work.”
Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said that the report showed that the salmon sector is thriving economically.
“The industry is a key part of Scotland’s rural economy and this government is committed to supporting the sector to explore new approaches which will continue sustainable and productive growth in the future,” he said.
Scotland’s aquaculture industry contributes approximately GBP 620 million (USD 815.1 million, EUR 704.8 million) to the country’s economy with salmon accounting for 90 percent of the value.
Some 29,000 metric tons (MT) of fresh salmon worth GBP 190 million (USD 249.8 million, EUR 216 million) was exported by the United Kingdom in the second-quarter of this year.
