Fish farming contribution to Scottish economy jumped by 30% in 2023
The direct economic contribution of Scotland’s fish farming sector increased by almost a third in the space of a year, a new government report has revealed.
The Scottish Government’s marine economic statistics for 2023 confirm the vital role of Scottish salmon, which makes up 95% of the aquaculture sector.
The report shows that GVA (gross value added) by aquaculture rose by 30% from £361 million to £468m between 2022 and 2023.
Over the longer term, aquaculture’s GVA increased by 37% between 2014 and 2023, while employment increased by 3%.
The figures also show that aquaculture is one of the most productive parts of the marine economy, with more than £212,545 GVA generated per employee. Turnover accounted for £1.2 billion, almost 10% of the total.
Oil and gas still No.1
Scotland’s entire marine economy generated £5.6 billion in 2023, which is still dominated by oil and gas (£2.4 billion).
This is followed by marine tourism (£699m), then shipbuilding (£540m), aquaculture (£468m), seafood processing (£401m), and fishing (£394m).
The figures for the salmon sector do not include the wider supply chain, which also adds hundreds of millions of pounds to the economy. There are around 2,500 direct jobs in Scottish salmon and around 11,000 indirect jobs.
A more up-to-date independent economic report commissioned by trade body Salmon Scotland and published last month found that the Scottish salmon sector is adding more than £950m a year to the economy.
The analysis by BiGGAR Economics found that Scottish salmon’s GVA was £231.2m in 2024, with a further £589.9m generated through the supply chain, and the impact of investment and staff spending taking the figure to £953.2m.
'A global success story'
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said: “These [Scottish Government] figures confirm that Scottish salmon continues to generate vital wealth for the country, and especially for our Highland and islands communities.
“However, they only tell part of our economic success story, given that the sector also supports a nationwide supply chain and is attracting record exports and rising consumer demand.
“The aquaculture sector is the fourth biggest in the entire marine economy, creating thousands of well-paid jobs and opportunities.
“Everyone in the sector is part of a global success story built on high environmental and welfare standards, producing one of the healthiest and best-tasting foods in the world.”
