Scottish salmon survival rates jump to record highs in H1 2025

Survival rates of farm-raised salmon in Scotland have reached record highs following a multi-million-pound investment in technology, local trade body Salmon Scotland said recently.

New figures show monthly survival averaged 99.12 per cent between January and June 2025, which Salmon Scotland said is the best start to a year since data were first voluntarily published in 2018.

Since 2018, the sector has invested more than £1 billion (US$1.4 billion) in innovation across veterinary care, technology and stock management.

Salmon Scotland said this strong start to 2025 builds on last year’s progress. Cumulative mortality – the total number of fish deaths over time – fell by more than a third in 2024.

Overall survival across all farms reached 82.3 per cent – up 10 percentage points from 72.3 per cent the year before.

Salmon Scotland said higher survival rates mean more high-protein, low-carbon meals are reaching consumers – boosting food security and fuelling economic growth through rising sales at home and abroad.

Scottish salmon exports meanwhile rose by 45 per cent to a record £844 million (US$1.14 billion) last year – equivalent to £2.31 million (US$3.11 million) per day. According to Salmon Scotland, these figures make Scottish salmon the UK’s largest food export.

Domestic sales also increased by 9.1 per cent in the 12 months to June 2024.