COMMENT FROM SALMON SCOTLAND ON NEW BREXIT DEAL

Comment from Salmon Scotland on new Brexit deal. The UK and the EU are expected to agree a deal today over post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland.

Scottish salmon is the UK’s largest food export, with sales of £578 million in 2022.

European destinations dominated as the sector continued to bounce back from Brexit.

France was the top destination (£305m), while Ireland was the fifth biggest market with sales of £12 million. 

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said:

“A thawing of the relationship between London and Brussels is welcome news for all exporters. Since Brexit, the export arrangements for our members have been challenging with extra red tape, delays at the Channel, and continued labour shortages. We have managed to get through that, but an improved relationship will hopefully lead to an easing of the tensions and generate further sustainable growth of Scotland’s most successful food sector.”

Scottish salmon was the UK’s biggest food export in 2022, according to HMRC figures.

Sales of the nutritious fish grown in cold waters off the Highlands and islands reached £578 million in the calendar year, with France leading the global demand.

European destinations dominated as the sector continued to bounce back from Brexit. Scottish salmon was exported to 54 countries, with North America and Asia reporting strong demand.

Overseas Scottish salmon sales outperformed all the UK’s other main food exports including bakery goods, chocolate, cheese, cereals and lamb.

Farm-raised salmon directly employs 2,500 people in Scotland and a further 10,000 jobs are dependent on the sector.

Fresh, whole Scottish salmon export sales of £578 million were down just six per cent on 2021 (£614 million) and a similar rate below the record £617 million in 2019.

The EU accounted for almost 64 per cent of sales, with the US and Chinese markets remaining popular.

The volume of fish transported overseas fell by 26 per cent, reflecting tight supplies globally and more Scottish salmon being sold in the UK domestic market – which is valued at around £1.2 billion-a-year.