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Salmon exports target Middle East           20/2/12

Scotland’s premium salmon brand is to seek export growth in Middle East markets later this week, as Label Rouge Scottish Salmon takes centre stage in a major gastronomic competition hosted at Gulfood, the world’s largest food and hospitality show, in Dubai.

Organised by the Emirates Culinary Guild and endorsed by the World Association of Chefs’ Societies, the premium fish is to feature in the Seafood Class of the Emirates Salon Culinaire competition.

Open to professional chefs from the Middle East region, the Emirates Salon Culinaire is expected to attract an estimated 1,300 young chefs from around the region who will compete to become the culinary stars of the future. Up to 200 chefs are expected to compete in the seafood class of the competition.

In the first half of 2011, the value of salmon exports to the Middle East was up 46% year-on-year, rising from £3.45m to £5.05m. Exports of all salmon products to the Middle East have increased year-on-year since 2008, increasing from 974 tonnes (2008) to 1,927 tonnes (2010).

2011 is forecast to have seen another rise as higher value, premium salmon has become increasingly popular in the UAE, Kuwait, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman and Jordan.