June 18, 2010
UK salmon consumption on an increase
Over 1.1 million new domestic consumers have purchased fresh salmon over the last two years as persistent demand for the fish continues to grow.
The number of people who have consumed fresh salmon has risen from 5 million in 2008 to 6.1 million this year (between February 2008 and February 2010), a 22% jump. During the same period, consumption in the UK has risen to 224 million meal occasions, according to new figures from Kantar Worldpanel.
48% of grocery shoppers bought fresh salmon at least once last year. Fresh salmon now constitutes more than GBP 1 (US$1.48) in every GBP5 (US$7.4) spent on fish in the UK, the market researchers reported.
Concurrently, the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) has just released its Annual Report, which emphasises the industry's input to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of Scotland.
Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of SSPO, said that while the UK remains the industry's strongest market, history shows that seafood consumption is much higher in numerous other countries. However, fresh salmon is enjoying increasing popularity in the region.
''We estimate that the demand for salmon is such that we could supply twice as much as is currently produced. With consumption continuing to increase and a massive global undersupply, we remain confident about future demand,'' he added.
Strategic Insight Director of Kantar Worldpanel Mark Thomson said the boost in salmon consumption is attributable to more people eating together at home as a result of the recession, a trend which corresponds with the increase of salmon consumption.
As a consequence of the climb in salmon consumption, an undersupply of 190,000 tonnes of Atlantic salmon for this year has been forecast by experts from the Federation of European Aquaculture Producers (FEAP). This amount equals one and half times the size of the Scottish salmon industry.
Since 2003, salmon production in Scotland has been stagnant. To meet mounting demand and counteract the forecasted shortfall in the global market, the industry plans to achieve a growth of between 3-5% over the next five years.
Several types of businesses are profiting from the rising consumption of salmon.
The industry contributes over GBP197 million (US$292 million) annually into Scottish businesses. In 2006, the country exported more than 12 million salmon to 60 countries.
Scotland is the world's third largest salmon producer, with approximately a 10% global market share. While in 1980 just 9% of the fish consumed by people was farmed, it is now 43%.
The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reports that aquaculture is the sole way to meet the world's surging demand for seafood.
