Export surge for Scottish farmed fish

EXPORTS of Scottish farmed salmon rose by almost 40 per cent in a year, new figures show.

The Scottish Government said Scotland exported 34,840 tonnes between January and May, a 37 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2010.

Environment minister Stewart Stevenson welcomed the news on a visit to Norway, where he is meeting aquaculture industry representatives and his Norwegian and Chilean ministerial counterparts. Norway, Chile and Scotland are the top three producers of farmed salmon.

Mr Stevenson said: “Scottish salmon is a high quality, delicious product that is becoming increasingly popular around the world – as illustrated by the latest booming export figures.

“Last year salmon accounted for 36 per cent of the value of Scottish food exports, while the industry also provides much-needed employment in our fragile rural communities.

“It’s important we continue to promote this key product and encourage further investment as well as working with others internationally on ways to continue improving the environmental sustainability of aquaculture.”

Scotland is the largest producer of farmed Atlantic salmon in Europe and third largest globally, behind Norway and Chile.