Edinburgh salmon company sees exports leap

EXPORTS by the Scottish Salmon Company (SSC) continued to rise during the first quarter despite a slight dip in overall sales from a record-breaking 2014.

Scottish Salmon Company: Exports leap. Picture: Robert Perry

Headquartered in Edinburgh, with more than 60 sites across the west coast, SSC exported to 24 countries during the first three months of this year. Exports accounted for 45 per cent of revenues, up from 42 per cent in the first quarter of last year.

The number of export markets is up from 17 a year ago, and follows an on-going drive to diversify into new regions. Craig Anderson, managing director of SSC, said the firm is also capitalising on the 2015 “Year of Food & Drink” campaign.

“We delivered a record-breaking year in 2014 and with strong results for Q1 2015 we intend to continue to build on this and ensure sustainable growth for the business and our shareholders,” he said. “Maintaining customer partnerships and exports will remain a key priority.”

Exports of Scottish salmon have been on the rise, reaching £500 million for the first time last year. Salmon is also the UK’s most valuable food export.

SSC harvests about 30,000 tonnes annually, which is roughly 20 per cent of Scotland’s total production. Harvested volumes in the first quarter reached 6,261 tonnes, up nearly 4 per cent on the same period last year.

Total operating revenues dipped slightly to £27.3m, down from £27.7m a year earlier.

SCC employs more than 450 people at sites such as marine farms, freshwater hatcheries and processing facilities located mainly around the Outer Hebrides and Argyll & Bute. To help meet growing demand, it is developing two new sites in the Hebrides that will be stocked in the autumn.