Hungry US and Middle East markets send Scots salmon exports soaring

SCOTTISH salmon exports leapt to record heights last year, according to figures to be published at Europe's largest seafood convention this week.

Fresh salmon exports grew by 20 per cent to 78,611 tonnes as the industry found markets in the Middle East and the US were hungry for high quality Scottish-produced fish.

The rise in exports comes despite signs of a resurgence in the world's second biggest salmon producing country, Chile, which is slowly recovering from a disease that devastated the country's farmed fish stocks four years ago.

Latest figures from the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) puts Scotland neck-and-neck with the Chil-ean export market last year.

Industry experts argue Scot-tish exports will continue to flourish, as global demand for farmed salmon - estimated to increase at 9 to 10 per cent a year - outstrips the pace at which the heavily regulated Scottish salmon farming industry can grow. The SSPO said increasing demand from Brazil would largely soak up the return of Chilean fisheries. Meanwhile Scottish fisheries would continue to expand in both new existing markets such as the US, where 60 per cent of exports go into the luxury restaurant and catering market..

Currently 60 per cent of Scottish salmon farmers adhere to strict RSPCA "freedom food" rules which reduces the density of fish produced. The SSPO industry body expects this number will increase in the next six months.

Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of SSPO, said: "Scottish farmed salmon is a top quality, healthy and sustainable protein in high demand at home and overseas. Exports have increased more than 650 per cent during the last 20 years. The strong performance demonstrates that the salmon farming sector is playing a key role in the export-led recovery."

The SSPC said seven of Scotland's top ten markets grew in volume last year and Scottish salmon now reaches 54 countries worldwide. Europe remains the main export market, with France the industry's top importer. Growing and emerging markets include Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands, eastern Europe and the Middle East.

In January, the Scottish government struck a deal with China to allow salmon to be exported there for the first time.

The export figures will be revealed as the sector attends the world's largest international seafood show in Brussels this week. The European Seafood Exposition is forecast to attract more than 24,000 visitors from 80 countries.

This year 18 Scottish seafood companies will be showcased with the help of Scottish Development International (SDI).