Surge in Scottish salmon exports to Japan
In total, there has been a 312 per cent increase in volume for all fresh, frozen and smoked Scottish salmon exported to the Far East (including Japan, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Singapore, Maldives, Sri Lanka) between 2009 – 2011, increasing from 2,045 tonnes in 2009 to 6,375 tonnes in 2011 (gutted weight), the Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation (SSPO) told FishfarmingXpert.
Welcoming the export success in Japan in 2011, Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of SSPO, said:
“Japan is an emerging market with great potential. The market value has more than doubled in a three year period and is now worth £4.8 million. We are confident that it will grow further. =
“The sushi and sashimi markets are achieving a very high rate of growth globally. It is a trendy product and Scottish salmon is perfectly suited because of its quality, freshness and great taste,” he added.
The value of fresh and smoked salmon exports (£4.8 million) represent almost a third of the total food exports to Japan (£16.2 million).
The Asian market offers significant potential for Scottish food and drink companies and it is a very good fit for Scotland’s strategic focus on premium products, health and provenance, according to Anne MacColl chief executive, Scottish Development International.
“With high rates of GDP growth in Asia, rising income levels, increased urbanisation and more sophisticated tastes, there is a very real opportunity for Scotland to build a profitable export business there,” she pointed out.
"Our International Food and Drink Strategy for Asia, developed in consultation with key stakeholder organisations including the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation, will ensure that we fully exploit these opportunities. Focusing on the areas where Scotland already has a global competitive advantage, such as whisky, seafood and red meat, the strategy focuses on promoting Scotland in Asia as the Land of Food and Drink.”
The announcement comes not long after the SSPO reported a 36 per cent growth in the US export of salmon - making it Scotland's biggest export market for salmon, and a 46 per cent increase in export of salmon to the Middle East.
