October 9, 2023

Scotland, UK salmon production declined in 2022

The recently released Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey found the salmon-farming sector of Scotland, the United Kingdom, had lower production in 2022 compared to 2021.

The survey, released on October 4, found the Scottish salmon industry farmed 169,194 metric tonnes of salmon in 2022. That total is a decrease of 36,199 metric tonnes, or 18%, compared to 2021. However, 2021 was also a record-breaking year for Scotland's salmon farmers with 205,393 metric tonnes of production – only the second time in the country's history, it broke 200,000 metric tonnes.

The survey also highlighted that in 2022, the average harvest weight of salmon in each year-class decreased. Scotland harvested 117,901 metric tonnes of salmon in the first year in 2022 at a mean harvest weight of 4.6 kilogrammes; and 51,158 metric tonnes of salmon in year two with a mean harvest weight of 5.2 kilogrammes. This compared to the first year mean harvest weight of 4.9 kilogrammes and second year mean weight of 5.7 kilogrammes in 2021.

Salmon smolt production in Scotland increased to 55.1 million smolt, an increase of 3.9 million, or 8%, compared to 2021.

As the country's overall salmon production decreased, the production of rainbow trout increased slightly. The country produced 8,757 metric tonnes of rainbow trout in 2022, the highest level ever recorded in Scotland. 

- SeafoodSource