Salmon exports leap 24%

Over 13 million salmon exported in 2009

Growth in line with Government’s economic strategy to increase the value of food and drink sector

Over 13 million fresh Scottish salmon were exported in 2009 – an increase of 24% when compared with the previous year, according to Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO).

Exports of fresh salmon leapt to 65,480 tonnes from 52,671 tonnes the previous year. Fresh Scottish salmon now reaches 55 countries worldwide. Europe remains the industry’s biggest export market, with France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Germany, Italy, Spain and Irish Republic as notable importers. The USA, Canada and the Far East are the biggest destinations in the rest of the world.

With continuing high overseas demand, an increasing appetite for health enhancing foods and a forecast that the global market for salmon will have an undersupply of 190,000 tonnes in 2010 – which is the equivalent of one and half times the size of the Scottish salmon industry – the sector is optimistic about future market demand.

The strong export trade has been built solidly on Scottish provenance, the product’s PGI status awarded by the European Commission and premium taste, quality and character.

Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of SSPO, said: “Salmon is one of the largest food exports from Scotland. It has established a substantial overseas market worth over £220m per annum, underpinning its increasing importance to the domestic economy.

“Salmon is a high growth sector in the food industry. With demand for Scottish salmon continuing to be extremely high overseas, export markets offer further opportunity for market expansion,” added Landsburgh.

As part of its policy to increase sustainable economic growth, the Scottish Government has identified the food and drink sectors as key economic areas for development. The target is to increase the value of the food and drink sectors from £7.5bn to £12.5bn by 2017.

Notes to editors:

1.  The global market for Atlantic farmed salmon is forecast to have an undersupply of 190,000 tonnes in 2010 (Source: Federation of European Aquaculture Producer Organisations, 2009).

2. Scotland is the second largest producer of Atlantic farmed salmon in the world.

3. Business & Trade Statistics is the source for the export statistics.

4.  Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) is the trade organisation for the salmon farming industry. With 95% of production in its membership, SSPO represents the industry in regulatory, technical and media matters.

ENDS

For further information / photography, contact Ken Hughes, Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation, +44 (0)1738 587000 or 07974 173739.

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