Scottish salmon was the UK’s greatest meals export in 2022, new HMRC figures have revealed.

Gross sales of the nutritious fish grown in chilly waters off the Highlands and islands reached £578 million within the calendar 12 months, with France main the worldwide demand.

European locations dominated because the sector continued to bounce again from Brexit. Scottish salmon was exported to 54 nations, with North America and Asia reporting robust demand.

Abroad Scottish salmon gross sales outperformed all of the UK’s different major meals exports together with bakery items, chocolate, cheese, cereals and lamb.

Farm-raised salmon straight employs 2,500 folks in Scotland and an extra 10,000 jobs are depending on the sector.

Contemporary, entire Scottish salmon export gross sales of £578 million had been down simply six per cent on 2021 (£614 million) and an identical charge under the report £617 million in 2019.

The EU accounted for nearly 64 per cent of gross sales, with the US and Chinese language markets remaining fashionable.

The quantity of fish transported abroad fell by 26 per cent, reflecting tight provides globally and extra Scottish salmon being offered within the UK home market – which is valued at round £1.2 billion-a-year.

Throughout 2022, Scottish salmon celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of holding France’s prestigious ‘Label Rouge’ certification on the British embassy in Paris, whereas commerce physique Salmon Scotland was additionally welcomed into the worldwide main physique for cooks, Worldchefs.

A college evaluation additionally discovered that Scottish salmon is much more nutritious than thought – offering greater than 70 per cent of day by day vitamin D wants in a single portion.

Tavish Scott, chief govt of Salmon Scotland, mentioned: “Scottish salmon is a unprecedented international success story that we will all be immensely happy with, supporting 1000’s of jobs and contributing lots of of thousands and thousands of kilos to the UK financial system.

“With such stress on public companies in the course of the cost-of-living disaster, the income generated by our farmers has by no means been extra vital.

“Scottish salmon, grown sustainably within the chilly waters off our west coast, is recognised as the very best on the planet – which is why it’s in such excessive worldwide demand.

“By way of accountable progress of the blue financial system we may help feed the world, rearing one of the nutritious meals that we will eat.

“Thanks to everybody concerned from egg to plate for delivering such a profitable 12 months for Scottish salmon.”

Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Mairi Gougeon mentioned: “It’s implausible to see robust gross sales of Scottish salmon in 2022 and I wish to congratulate everybody within the sector on one other profitable 12 months.

“Scottish salmon is a world-renowned model and its success is testomony to the standard of Scottish salmon as a product.

“That’s the reason we’re dedicated to our ongoing work to encourage funding in analysis, growth and innovation in Scotland’s aquaculture sector alongside strong administration measures, so that customers can proceed to trust within the sustainability of Scottish seafood.

“Foods and drinks is considered one of our precedence export sectors and the continued progress in international markets means extra jobs and funding throughout Scotland.

“We are going to proceed to interact with and take heed to the Scottish salmon business to grasp how we will enhance export alternatives and take away limitations to commerce.”