New figures from HMRC show that overseas sales of Scottish salmon rose 25% to £319 million in the first half of 2019 compared to the same period of 2018, with volume increasing 25% to 47,000 tonnes.

Scottish salmon was exported to 47 countries in the first six months of the year.

France was the top market with sales of £109 million with the US in second place with sales of £97 million.

Overall, the largest trading region for Scottish salmon remains the EU with total sales of £153 million.

Exports of Scottish salmon to the EU account for 49% of export value and 52% of volume.

Trade with Germany and Italy increased by 50% and 72% respectively.

Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation CEO Julie Hesketh-Laird said: “This is an excellent start to 2019.

“The underlying international demand for Scottish Salmon remains strong, which is hugely encouraging and supports the reputation that our delicious and quality product achieves globally.

“While France and the USA are still the largest country markets, we are seeing growth in many mature and emerging markets around the globe from Canada to UAE which underlines sustainable, growing demand for salmon.

“This uptick in overseas exports returns Scottish salmon sales to levels we would expect to see, helping secure its reputation in world markets and safeguarding the innovation, investment and valued jobs the industry supports across Scotland.

“We must not take this growth for granted.

“It is vital that salmon farmers have the right home environment in which they can continue to meet the demand from overseas and that the UK and Scottish Governments work together to ensure that easy movement to our biggest market – Europe – remains available as the UK exits the EU.”