Scotland’s salmon farming industry has reached a turnover of more than £1 billion, according to an economic impact report carried out for the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) by 4-consulting.

There are seven major Scottish salmon producers — Mowi, Loch Duart, Grieg Seafood, Wester Ross Salmon, Cooke Aquaculture Scotland, The Scottish Salmon Company and Scottish Sea Farms.

The report shows the industry’s Gross Value Added (GVA) is £365 million.

The salmon farming industry also contributes £50 million in corporation tax and £76 million in wages.

The average wage for workers in the Scottish salmon industry is around £34,000.

“The latest data suggests international exports of Scottish salmon are over half a billion pounds each year,” said the report.

“The latest Scottish Government export statistics show food and drink exports (excluding Scotch Whisky) are one billion pounds.

“The value of Scottish salmon exports therefore accounts for more than half of Scottish food and drink exports (excluding Scotch Whisky).

“Some exports of Scottish salmon may be categorised as agricultural produce in the Scottish Government figures …

“The most recent version of the Scottish Government’s economic impact model (based on input-output tables) shows that for every £100 of turnover within the Scottish aquaculture industry another £93 is sustained elsewhere in Scotland’s economy through supply chains and high street spending from the wages paid to employees.

“Given an industry turnover of £1,027 million, this suggests that the economic impact of the industry could support nearly £2 billion of turnover in Scotland’s economy today and several thousand Scottish jobs.”