Scottish salmon exports hit record high in 2024

International sales of Scottish salmon have hit a record high of £844 million (US$1.06 billion), climbing by 45 per cent in a year to remain the UK’s top food export, fish harvesters' association Salmon Scotland said recently.

Significant growth of over 60 per cent was recorded in Asian markets, particularly China and Taiwan.

Grown in the Scottish waters off the north west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland, exports were sent to 48 countries in 2024.

New HM Revenue and Customs figures published on February 13 confirm that Scottish salmon remains the top UK food export, ahead of Cheddar cheese and other popular British products like lamb and beef.

The 2024 export total surpasses the previous record of £618 million (US$778 million) set in 2019.

France remains the top market, accounting for 55 per cent of total value of all Scottish salmon exports, followed by the United States (27 per cent).

The new figures come after survival rates on salmon farms in Scotland – where fish spent up to two years at sea – reached a four-year high of 82.3 per cent in 2024 following multi-million pound tech investments to enhance animal welfare.

This improvement in survival has led to more food being available to export to meet international demand. At the same time, Salmon is also the UK’s most popular fish.

The latest export figures have been welcomed by the UK and Scottish governments.