Japanese demand for salmon could be worth millions to Scotland

JAPAN’S “booming” demand for salmon could be worth millions of pounds more to Scotland’s economy, food minister Richard Lochhead has insisted during a trade mission to the Far East.

Scottish salmon is increasingly sought after by top restaurants in Japan taking over from tuna as the most popular choice that can be for dishes such as sashimi.

Japan currently takes just over 1 per cent of its salmon imports from Scotland - a total of 907 tonnes worth £3.2 million to the Scottish economy.

However, Mr Lochhead said that if Scotland could win an extra 1 per cent of Japan’s salmon import market, that would see the value of exports of the fish double to £6.4 million.

Japan’s fish sector relies on imports for 40 per cent of its salmon market and is one of the world’s biggest importers of the product at 85,900 tonnes.

The minister insisted that Scotland could win a greater share of that market during a visit to Tokyo on a food and drink trade mission to Asia.

Mr Lochhead, speaking as he visited the world-famous Nobu restaurant in Tokyo where top quality Scottish salmon is now served, said: ”The Japanese eat 12 per cent of the world’s fish yet make up just 2% of the population. So, the appetite is there for us to feed the market with our top quality seafood.

“Scottish seafood - including salmon - has unique appeal to the Japanese consumer. It is high quality, sustainably sourced, fresh and flavoursome.

“I’m sure more and more of it will be appearing in homes and restaurants across Japan in the years to come.”