April 14, 2010

Scottish salmon exports to US spiked in 2009

Scottish farmed salmon saw a record year for exports to the US in 2009, with total exports reaching 24,000 tonnes, an increase of 50% on the previous year.

"The substantial increase in exports to the US illustrates the high overseas demand for top of the range, superior quality salmon," said Scott Landsburgh, CEO of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation.

This year the country is selling into a global market reckoned to have a deficit in supply compared with demand of 190,000 tonnes - rather more than Scotland's total output.

The European aquaculture has achieved a modest 1% growth rate in recent years compared with the global figure of 7-8%, partly due to stringent environmental legislations and strong influence of green activist groups in the region.