October 13, 2006

Industry celebrates million-a-day salmon meal consumption in the UK 

The Scottish salmon industry is ecstatic as recent figures from the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) showed consumption of fresh salmon meals in the UK have increased almost 15 percent from 314 million in 2004 to 357 million in 2006. 

This meant almost 1 million fresh salmon meals are eaten every day in the UK, Sid Patten, Chief Executive of SSPO said.

Meanwhile, smoked salmon portions have performed even better. Consumption of smoked salmon portions has increased close to 40 percent from 42.8 million in 2004 to 59.4 million in 2006.

Salmon farming is a young, dynamic industry which would bring huge benefits to Scotland's rural economies, Patten said.

The figures were testimony that the once beleaguered industry has recovered from a global slump in prices which saw a huge cut in Scottish production.

This recovery has benefited numerous small scale operations, especially companies who once relied on wild-catch and spent millions to convert to fish farming.

With a fair price for the farmer now and a forecasted steady increase in production from 2007, this is good news for the farmer and Scotland, Patten added.