Data from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) indicates that the value of Scotland’s salmon exports to Asia more than doubled in Q1 2023, according to trade organization Salmon Scotland.
HMRC data indicates the value of Scotland’s salmon exports to Asia reached GBP 24 million (USD 29 million, EUR 27 million) in response to growing demand from the region. Strong demand from China, Taiwan, Singapore, and South Korea resulted in a 97 percent increase in the volume of salmon sent to the region, Salmon Scotland said. China and Taiwan together contributed to GBP 12 million (USD 14.8 million, EUR 13.8 million) in sales.
“The increasing demand for Scottish salmon in Asia is a clear testament to its outstanding quality and taste,” Salmon Scotland Chief Executive Tavish Scott said in a release.
Europe continues to be the top destination for Scottish salmon, with the bloc purchasing GBP 69 million (USD 85.6 million, EUR 79.5 million) worth of salmon, more than half of the GBP 134 million (USD 166 million, EUR 154 million) in salmon Scotland sold in Q1 2023. North America remained the second most important market, with 29 percent of all sales, valued at GBP 39 million (USD 48.4 million, EUR 44.9 million), with Asia coming in third with 18 percent.
Overall, global salmon sales increased by 18 percent, or GBP 20 million (USD 24.8 million, EUR 23 million), compared to the same period last year.
“This demonstrates the extraordinary global success story of Scottish salmon which we can all be immensely proud of, and we are all benefitting from through thousands of jobs and hundreds of millions of pounds for the economy,” Scott said.
Salmon Scotland said there are “further opportunities” for growth in North America and in Asia due to rising consumer demand in both regions. The organization also said it has ambitious growth plans for Scotland’s “Label Rouge” salmon in European markets with a goal of increasing its share of the salmon market to 15 percent by 2026.
“The remarkable growth of the Asian market, along with other regions, underscores the immense potential and opportunities for Scottish salmon,” Scott said.
Salmon Scotland offered the caveat the strong results come during a tumultuous period for the salmon industry. Multiple seafood organizations in the country have been fighting against a Scottish government proposal to establish highly protected marine areas (HPMAs) across 10 percent of the country’s coastline.
Scott said the positive trade data emphasized the economic importance of farmed salmon to Scotland.
“Given the critical importance of revenue generation by our farmers, particularly during the cost-of-living crisis, it is crucial for the Scottish Government to reconsider HMPA proposals,” he said. “By doing so, we can fully unleash the potential of the sustainable blue economy, creating even greater benefits for coastal communities and turbocharging job creation.”
Photo courtesy of Salmon Scotland
