BOSTON — Fresh Scottish salmon exports experienced a 36 percent increase to the United States in 2011, the country's largest ever year-over-year increase, further securing the U.S.' position as Scotland's number one export market since overtaking France in 2010.
As the total U.S. salmon imports also increased 2.6 percent in 2011, the new figures from Scotland reveal it as the largest share of Atlantic salmon imports outside of North and South America. With one quarter of Scotland's salmon production–equivalent to 43,703 tonnes–sent to the U.S. in 2011, Scottish farmed salmon is the country's largest food export.
With 86 percent of seafood consumption in the U.S. coming from imports and an ever increasing 50 percent of the world's seafood coming from fish and shellfish farming across the globe, the role of Scottish salmon is playing a significant role in current seafood consumption. Voted the "Best Farmed Salmon in the World" by international seafood buyers in 2011 based on superior taste, quality and appearance, Scotland is the world's third largest producer of farmed salmon, with a retail market valued at over $1.5 billion.
"Last year was the largest ever rise of salmon imports from Scotland and it underlines the confidence that U.S. buyers and consumers place on the high quality of Scottish seafood," said Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation. "Recent news that the U.S. is the number one market for Scottish salmon demonstrates the increasingly successful collaboration between Scottish producers and U.S. buyers."
Anne MacColl, chief executive, Scottish Development International, said: "These new figures strongly reinforce the importance of the North American market for the Scottish seafood industry. This is hugely encouraging and it's vital that we continue to build on our success by increasing trade relationships with influential salmon and seafood buyers across the world.
"SDI is committed to supporting food and drink companies to increase their exporting activities. By working collaboratively with our key partners including Seafood Scotland and Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, we believe we can further boost international food and drink exports and in doing so, deliver long-term sustainable growth for Scotland's economy."
With over 12,000 miles of pristine coastline and abundant natural resources, Scotland has a global reputation for producing seafood products that meet the industry's highest quality standards. The export trade has been built solidly on a commitment to the highest welfare standards, Scottish provenance and premium taste, quality and character.
"Scotland's record year for exports signifies that quality is of the highest importance to today's salmon consumers," Landsburgh continued. "The most tightly regulated aquaculture industry in the world, Scotland prides itself on producing one of the best-tasting and healthiest seafood options available to U.S. consumers."
Source: Scottish Development International