News / Salmon exports leap
EXPORTS of Scottish salmon have leapt for the second consecutive year maintaining its position as the country’s largest food export.
Salmon exports rose by 22 per cent from 78,611 tonnes in 2010 to 95,638 tonnes in 2011, though the UK remains the largest market overall.
North America has taken over as the main export market, rising 35 per cent last year to 44,454 tonnes, while Europe has remained steady at 39,979 tonnes, reflecting the state of the economy.
The biggest growth has been in the Far East where the government has helped open up the Chinese market since January 2011, with exports multiplying almost 10 fold from 682 tonnes to 6,779 tonnes.
The Middle East, another emerging market, has risen from 1,340 tonnes to 1,562 tonnes, a jump of 17 per cent.
Seven of the top ten markets have grown in volume and fresh Scottish salmon now reaches 64 countries worldwide.
This week the Scottish salmon industry will seek to improve its prospects even further with the European Seafood Exposition in Brussels forecast to attract over 24,000 visitors from 80 countries.
Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation chief executive Scott Landsburgh said: “Exports of fresh Scottish salmon have increased five out of the last six years and have almost doubled over the last decade.
“We have worked with the Scottish government to ensure the sustainable development of production over recent years and the early results are demonstrated in these encouraging figures.
“We must continue to work collaboratively to ensure continued confidence and avoid any unintended consequences in the proposed Aquaculture and Fisheries Bill as this would jeopardise further investment and job creation.”
The industry is concerned that extra red tape in the new bill will cause problems while the government is pushing them to continue expanding production.
The salmon industry boasts investments over the past two years of £92 million, mostly in the highlands and islands.
During 2011 there were 272 new jobs created, 23 per cent growth in total gross pay and a 22 per cent leap in expenditure on suppliers and services to £435 million.
Further staffing increases are expected over the next five years as the industry strives to meet the government’s target of a 50 per cent increase in production by 2050.
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