Scottish Salmon Is Named UKs Top Food Export For 2023

16th February 2024

Scottish salmon was today named as the UK's top food export in 2023, following the publication of annual HMRC figures.

Sales of the nutritious fish grown in the waters off the Highlands and islands increased by 0.5 per cent to £581 million in the calendar year - equivalent to £1.6 million every day.

France once again led the global demand, however the US and Asian markets saw sharp growth, with the popularity of premium high-quality Scottish salmon increasing among chefs, restaurants, and consumers.

Scottish salmon exports were far higher than the UK's second largest food export, Cheddar cheese, as well as other popular British products like lamb and beef.

Salmon is also by far the most popular fish among UK shoppers, with sales running at around £1.25 billion a year.

But while the market demand is soaring, the sector is facing several business challenges.

Values rose in 2023 given the high demand, yet export volumes were down 11 per cent compared to the previous year.

The increased red tape following Brexit continues to add costs and delays for Scottish salmon farmers, while the UK's recession has dampened the economic environment.

And the slow pace of reform of cumbersome regulation in Scotland further adds to the challenges facing farming companies.

Ahead of this year's general election, trade body Salmon Scotland has urged all political parties to do more to support the country's most important food sector, setting out a series of manifesto asks.

The organisation has also warned that other nations are looking to increase salmon sales at a faster rate, highlighting how vital it is that Scotland is seen as "open for business".

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said "The demand for nutritious, low carbon Scottish salmon continues to grow at home and abroad.

"It's testament to the hard work of salmon farmers in rural Scotland that our fish has been named the UK's biggest export in 2023 in such challenging economic circumstances.

"The Scottish salmon sector is a bright spot in the Scottish and UK economies, and is ready to invest and create jobs.

"This is all the more important given the UK is now officially in recession and there is no growth in Scotland, so we need more government support to ensure that Scotland is open for business.

"Other nations are desperate to emulate our success, and it is vital that our sector - which employs 12,500 people and sustains our remotest communities - is supported so that we can deliver sustainable growth for decades to come."

Sales up from £578m to £581m (+0.5%).

Volumes down from 72,300 tonnes to 64,000 tonnes (-11%).
US sales up 7% to £140m.

China sales up 27% to £47m (Note: exports to China collapsed during the Covid pandemic),

Exports to Asia up 22% to £70m accounting for 12% of all Scottish salmon exports.

France sales down 11% to £272m (Note: this partly reflects more salmon being exported to a final European destination, rather than all processed in France).

Top UK food Exports
Scottish salmon: £580.6m
Cheddar cheese: £445.3m
Lamb: £439.2m
Sauces and seasonings: £367.6m
Beef: £285.9m

Additional action needed in areas of devolved responsibility
Regulatory reform: the licensing programme for salmon farms is lengthy and there are several regulatory bodies involved in the process. If the system is more streamlined, as recommended by Professor Russel Griggs in a recent independent review, we can deliver the responsible and sustainable growth needed to continue creating vital jobs in Scotland.

Rural housing: in many remote parts of Scotland, salmon farms are vital to the future of local businesses and communities. But the lack of access to rural housing is a major barrier for workers. We are calling for reform to ensure that a significant proportion of the seabed licence fees paid by salmon farmers is reinvested directly in rural communities, with a particular focus on creating new housing.