Scots salmon farming in the pink, says study

NINE out of ten firms working in the Scottish salmon farming sector feel confident about future demand, according to a report published today.

The industry's inaugural economic survey found 234 jobs had been created in the past year, with companies in the industry spending 296 million on services and 29.5m on capital projects.

It also revealed that 78 per cent of companies planned to increase staff numbers in the year ahead.

Scotland's salmon farming companies continue to benefit from increased international demand. Farms in Chile had to close after disease outbreaks, leaving Scots firms to fill the gap.

Scottish salmon also tends to command a premium price in markets such as France, where it is seen as a high-class product.

Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, said: "The research results are a major boost for the sector and the remote, rural communities that depend on a successful, sustainable and profitable salmon industry."

Some 95 per cent of salmon farmers completed the survey.

Dr Lesley Sawers, chief executive of the Scottish Council for Development and Industry, added: "The last year has continued to be very challenging for many sectors, but analysis of this industry research shows Scottish salmon farmers have weathered the downturn better than most and, with strong demand in the UK and overseas, are leaders on the way back to growth."