Scottish salmon farmers brief First Minister on best way to protect exports
Scotland must remain economically competitive to maintain market share, says trade body
Scotland’s First Minister, John Swinney, has been updated on the importance of protecting and growing Scotland’s salmon exports amid global economic uncertainty caused by US president Donald Trump’s tariffs on imports, trade body Salmon Scotland said in a press release.
Scottish salmon is the UK’s most valuable food export and while the direct impact on consumer demand in the US is expected to be minimal, there is the potential for wider market disruption in Europe as other salmon-producing nations address their options.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, today addressed a roundtable convened by Swinney in the First Minister's official residence, Bute House, in Edinburgh. Scott said the situation remains volatile and the key is to increase Scotland’s attractiveness and competitiveness to investors and producers.
He welcomed the constructive approach adopted by the Scottish Government and called for joint government collaboration on the issue.
Important market
The US is the second largest export market for Scottish salmon, with sales in 2024 of £225 million. France remains the top destination, importing Scottish salmon worth £462m last year.
Most of the salmon consumed in the US salmon is imported, around half of it from Chile, and Scottish salmon is considered the premium product in the US market, said Salmon Scotland.
Consumer demand in the US is therefore predicted to remain very strong and the sector believes there is an opportunity for continued transatlantic growth. However, the secondary level impacts of US or retaliatory tariffs could have knock-on impacts across the global market, particularly in Europe where competition is high and other countries are expanding aquaculture at a faster pace.
Indirect impact
Scott said: “We hugely appreciate the First Minister’s constructive approach and welcome the opportunity to outline the importance of Scottish salmon exports.
“International sales sustain thousands of jobs in remote communities here at home and generate hundreds of millions of pounds for the Scottish economy.
“Our producers are extremely confident that consumer demand in the US will remain strong, but there is uncertainty about the indirect impact across global markets. We need to ensure that Scotland remains economically competitive, and we want both the Scottish and UK governments to continue working collaboratively and calmly on this.”
