Scottish salmon exports rose 22% in 2019 to a record high of £618 million, according to official statistics released by the UK Government’s HMRC.
The tonnage exported increased 26% to over 94,000 tonnes.
France, the US and China were the top three markets of a total of 54 countries which imported Scottish salmon.
For the third year running, France emerged as the largest market for Scottish salmon with sales worth £221 million, followed by the US (£179 million) and China (£59 million).
The EU accounted for 56% of the volume of global Scottish salmon exports and 52% of the value.
Outside the EU, the US remained Scottish salmon’s largest market.
In total, 17 of the top 20 export markets showed positive growth in 2019.
While there was a decline in exports to China of 11% in volume, this was offset by growth elsewhere in Asia to countries including Taiwan and Japan resulting in almost £97 million worth of Scottish salmon exported to the region.
Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO) chief executive Julie Hesketh-Laird said: “These figures demonstrate just what an extraordinary success Scottish salmon is.
“Such record-breaking performance is hugely encouraging and reflects the excellent reputation which Scottish salmon has in international markets.
“Scottish salmon’s good environmental story with its small carbon footprint and low water use plus global recognition of its taste, quality and provenance is clearly understood in almost every corner of the globe.
“Salmon’s continued export success sustains more than 2,300 jobs in Scotland, mostly in sparsely populated rural areas.
“This success has led to substantial sums being re-invested into local communities, providing much-needed employment and economic support.”
Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “These record-breaking figures demonstrate that demand for Scottish salmon is soaring and highlights the world-class reputation our producers enjoy.
“The need to explore and take advantage of international markets could not be clearer given the current uncertainty around our future trading relationship with Europe.
“This is an important time for the Scottish farmed salmon sector which contributes significantly to the rural economy, supporting families and livelihoods in some of our most fragile communities.
“I’m confident that the Scottish Government and industry will continue to work together to unlock further sustainable growth of this vital sector.”