SCOTTISH SALMON CELEBRATES 30 YEARS OF PRESTIGIOUS ‘LABEL ROUGE’ QUALITY MARK IN FRANCE

Scottish salmon celebrates 30 years of prestigious ‘Label Rouge’ quality mark in France. Scottish salmon is today celebrating 30 years of holding the prestigious ‘Label Rouge’ quality mark in France, which delivers a massive economic boost for Scotland.

The endorsement contributes to France being the top export destination for Scottish salmon, with new figures showing that a record 53,500 tonnes of whole, fresh salmon worth more than £304 million was exported to the country last year – accounting for 50 per cent of the value of all UK salmon exports.

The French market for Scottish salmon has boomed in recent years, up from £185million in 2020 and £221million in 2019.

Around 10,000 tonnes of exports to France come under the Label Rouge quality mark.

Label Rouge is the official recognition by the French authorities of the superior quality of a food or farmed product with a very stringent set of standards prepared by a group of producers.
Scottish salmon was both the first fish and first non-French product to be awarded the accolade in 1992, and the anniversary will be marked this weekend with a high-profile visit to Scotland by leading importers and processors from Boulogne Sur Mer and Rungis Marketplace.

They will visit one of Scottish Salmon Company’s Loch Fyne sea farms, the Johnnie Walker Experience in Edinburgh, and attend the Scotland v France rugby Six Nations match at Murrayfield.
A series of further celebrations are planned throughout 2022.

The farm-raised salmon industry directly employs more than 2,500 people in Scotland and supports more than 3,600 suppliers, with 10,000 jobs dependent on the sector.
Scottish salmon is the UK’s biggest food export, followed by bread and pastries, chocolate, cereals, and cheese.

Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon said:

“For Scottish salmon to achieve three decades of Label Rouge is a significant milestone and I would like to congratulate everyone involved in securing and retaining this quality mark.

“Label Rouge is achieved only after produce has passed an extremely stringent set of standards and it is testament to the consistently high quality of Scottish salmon which last year saw exports to the French market of more than £304,000,000. I am sure the popularity of this iconic product among French consumers will continue.

“The French delegation of salmon importers and distributors have a packed itinerary for their visit to Scotland and I look forward to meeting them and reinforcing the already strong economic and cultural ties between Scotland and France.”

Su Cox, Chair of Scottish Quality Salmon, which sets the quality and promotes Label Rouge Scottish Salmon, said:

“The prestigious Label Rouge quality mark guarantees quality, and it is a source of immense pride that Scottish salmon has held this honour for 30 years.

“For three decades, our farmers have worked hard to deliver the exceptional quality that meets the strictest standards required to achieve this certification.

“When you choose Label Rouge Scottish salmon you are getting the best of the best in terms of taste and quality with an incomparable story of Scottish provenance.”

Tavish Scott, Chief Executive of Salmon Scotland, added:

“It is our unique natural environment and excellent high-energy conditions that make Scottish salmon truly special.

“Scottish salmon has a world-renowned reputation for its taste and texture which is something we take great pride in delivering for consumers in France and across the world.

“As sea farmers, we are responsible custodians who share our environment with wildlife and local communities and we work collaboratively to manage and preserve coastal Scotland for future generations to live, work and enjoy.

“Scottish salmon is an international success story and France is our most important export market, delivering hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy and generating hundreds of jobs.

“We can help lead the UK’s economic recovery, but while the quality of Scottish salmon is unrivalled, other countries are increasing supply and growing their international market share – so we must work tirelessly to maintain Scotland’s market competitiveness.”