SCOTTISH SALMON EXPORTS HARDEST HIT BY TRUMP’S TARIFFS

Scottish salmon exports hardest hit by Trump’s tariffs. The Food and Drink Federation’s latest Trade Snapshot has revealed that Scottish salmon exports have been among the hardest hit by US tariffs introduced under President Donald Trump’s trade policy, say the Shetland Times in a recent article.

According to the report covering the first quarter of 2026, the value of UK salmon exports fell by 40 per cent compared with the same period last year, dropping to £177.8 million. The United States, traditionally one of the largest overseas markets for Scottish salmon, saw imports decline by 45 per cent to £68 million.

The figures are particularly concerning for Shetland, which produces up to a quarter of Scotland’s farmed salmon and relies heavily on the industry as a key part of its economy.

The FDF attributes much of the downturn to US tariffs, which have reduced the competitiveness of Scottish salmon in one of its most important export markets. At the same time, the report notes that US salmon exports to the UK have increased significantly, highlighting an imbalance in trade as American producers expand their market share while UK exporters lose ground.

Last year, Salmon Scotland chief executive Tavish Scott raised concerns about the impact of the tariffs in a letter to the Prime Minister ahead of trade discussions with President Trump. He warned that the 10 per cent tariff continued to pose a serious challenge for the sector, pointing out that the US was Scotland’s second most valuable export market for salmon in 2024, with exports worth £225 million.

Scott also argued that the tariffs were encouraging competing salmon-producing nations to target European markets more aggressively, increasing the risk of Scottish salmon losing market share in countries such as France. He urged the Prime Minister to seek the removal of the tariff during meetings with President Trump, saying this would benefit both Scottish exporters and US businesses, particularly given the opportunities for multinational companies operating in Scotland to expand their American operations.

More broadly, the FDF report found that overall UK food and drink exports declined by 4.8 per cent during the first quarter of 2026, marking one of the weakest quarterly performances since 2000. Exports to the United States fell by 28 per cent over the same period.

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