Leap in Scottish farmed salmon export sales 7/5/14
Scottish farmed salmon has racked up exports totalling £2.34 billion since netting
protected status 10 years ago.
The premium product was granted Protected Geographical Indication in 2004, in recognition
of Scotland’s unique marine environment – putting it in the same class as Scotch
Whisky, Champagne and Parma Ham.
Exports of Scottish farmed salmon that year were valued at £140 million, soaring
to an estimated £454 million a decade later, according to the most recent figures
available for 2013.
This week the Scottish Fisheries Secretary Richard Lochhead is attending the Seafood
Global Expo in Brussels. Last year Scottish exhibitors who attended the expo reported
an additional international turnover for the next three years of over £60 million.
Scottish companies are looking to build on this outstanding return with more than
25,000 seafood buyers from across the world attending along with exhibitors from
75 countries. Nineteen companies are exhibiting at the popular Scottish Pavilion.
Richard Lochhead said: “Scotland is rightly hailed as a land of food and drink across
the world and this year Scottish farmed salmon is celebrating 10 years as a PGI.
During this time it has been named as the best farmed salmon in the world by international
seafood buyers and continues to be in huge demand worldwide.
“Scottish salmon is already our largest food export and earlier this year I launched
a new food export plan designed to allow all the sector to realise its huge potential.
A key part of this ambitious plan involves appointing food and drink specialists
in 16 key markets worldwide to champion Scottish produce. I am pleased the first
appointments are already in hand in Japan, China and Canada.”