Fish rising: Scotland’s salmon sales overseas set new records

SALES of salmon to overseas customers have set new records, industry figures today reveal, providing a further boost to Scotland’s flourishing food and drink sector.

The statistics, which are derived from official HM Revenues & Customs data, show that North America has taken over as the main export market for the first time, following a 35 per cent surge during the past year.

Meanwhile, there was a near-900 per cent leap in exports to the Far East, albeit from a small base.

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The figures come as the industry targets further growth at the world’s largest seafood show, which is being staged this week in Brussels and is expected to attract visitors from about 80 countries.

Today’s report from the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) shows that exports of fresh salmon rose 22 per cent in 2011 to 95,638 tonnes. Seven of the top ten markets grew in volume and the product is now said to reach 64 countries.

There were just over 44,450 tonnes of salmon exported to North America. Exports to continental Europe, where many countries are either in recession or struggling for growth, were flat at a little under 40,000 tonnes.

As well as the 894 per cent surge in exports to the Far East, from just 682 tonnes to 6,779 tonnes, there was a 17 per cent hike in trade with the Middle East, which accounted for 1,562 tonnes in 2011.

Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the SSPO, said: “Exports of fresh Scottish salmon have increased five out of the last six years and have almost doubled over the last decade.

“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.”

He added: “We have worked with the Scottish Government to ensure the sustainable development of production over recent years and the early results are demonstrated in these encouraging figures.”

Earlier this month, it emerged that nearly 90 per cent of salmon farming companies expect to take on extra staff in the next five years after the value of the industry leapt to an all-time high of £489 million last year.

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The industry created 272 jobs during 2011, a 13 per cent rise that takes the total number of people employed directly in the sector to more than 2,000, according to the SSPO.

Scottish fisheries secretary Richard Lochhead, who is due to attend this week’s European Seafood Expo in Belgium, said: “The huge popularity surge from emerging markets in the Far East demonstrates the untapped opportunities for continued growth in Scottish salmon exports.

“Our salmon is rapidly becoming the product of choice in the high-end sushi and sashimi markets, underlining its premium quality and taste.”

Recent official figures revealed that overall Scottish food and drink exports topped £5.4 billion in 2011, growing by nearly 20 per cent year-on-year and hitting an industry target six years ahead of plan.

Anne MacColl, chief executive, Scottish Development International, said: “These salmon figures are further testament to Scotland’s growing international reputation as a world-leader in the manufacture of premium quality food and drink products.”

The UK remains the single largest market for Scottish farmed salmon.

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