Salmon Scotland announced that sales of salmon in UK shops soared to £1.1 billion last year.
“UK market demand over 2021 saw fresh, chilled salmon retail sales rise by 4.9 per cent from £1,047 million in 2020, with the volumes consumed increasing 7.8 per cent to 63,300 tonnes, up from 58,700 tonnes,” said Salmon Scotland.
“The total fresh chilled fish market increased by 4.2 per cent in terms of sales to £2.6 billion, but there was a slight fall in the overall fish market of 0.2 per cent to £4,243 million.”
The new report from trade body Salmon Scotland also further analyses the recent, official UK Government export figures revealing the total volume of Scottish salmon sold abroad was 97,835 tonnes in 2021 – a 36% increase year-on-year.
Scottish salmon exports recovered to near-record figures in 2021, according to figures released by the UK Government on February 11.
Reinforcing its place as the UK’s biggest food export, salmon overseas sales increased to £614 million — up 36% compared to 2020 and just below the £618 million recorded in 2019.
Salmon Scotland said the farm-raised salmon industry directly employs 2,500 people in Scotland and supports more than 3,600 suppliers, with 10,000 jobs dependent on the sector.
Salmon Scotland CEO Tavish Scott said: “Scottish salmon is the best, healthiest and most nutritious product that we can put on our plates.
“The rise in consumption here in the UK shows that more consumers recognise the health values and unrivalled quality of salmon, with year-on-year improvements to the way producers are rearing and feeding their stock which meet the highest welfare standards.
“Our industry is also a global success story, with Scottish salmon comfortably the UK’s biggest food export.
“The quality of Scotland’s produce is widely recognised in our largest markets of France, the USA and China, and we are also seeing sharp increases in newer international markets.
“All this is testament to the hard work and dedication of Scotland’s farmers, who produce a world-leading product that makes a massive contribution to our economy and people’s health.”