Salmon keeps title as UK's most valuable food export

Scottish salmon remained the UK’s most valuable food export in 2025, a year in which demand from Europe dipped but the volume of exports to the United States and China jumped by 44% and 55% respectively.

The volume of international sales of Scottish salmon reached a record 110,942 gutted weight tonnes, 9% higher than in the year before, according to figures from His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

The export value of £828 million was 2% lower than in 2024 due to a double digit supply increase from Norway pushing prices down in the global market, but it was still enough to keep salmon at the top of the list of most valuable UK food exports.

Scottish salmon was ahead of bread, pastries and cakes (£733m), cheese (£671m), chocolate (£568m), and lamb (£507m).

The value of exports to France, the gateway to Europe, dipped by 27% to £337.6m, and volume was down by 13% to 52,229 gwt, but it remains the top destination, accounting for 42% of salmon exports.

Exports to the US increased by £75.5m (34%) in value to £300.6m, and tonnage rose by 44% to 35,143 gwt (40% of exports).

China was the third most important export market, with the value of sales up by £21.1m (28%) to £97m, and volume up by 55% to 12,711 gwt.

Salmon was also the UK’s most popular fish, with sales of domestic and imported fish in the 12 months to August 2025 rising 7.2 per cent to £1.5 billion amid rising demand.

Smarter regulation

Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland, said the export figures show “the surging global appetite for Scottish salmon” and the need for better regulation of the sector to capitalise on the demand.

“Scotland’s salmon sector is already one of the most heavily regulated in the world,” said Scott. “What we need is smarter, more effective regulation, not less. If government gets that right, the sector can support more jobs, investment, and economic growth.”

Scottish Government Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Scotland Office minister Kirsty McNeill both praised the sector.

“These results are testament to the hard work of our salmon farmers and those in the supply chain,” said Forbes, adding that the sector makes a significant contribution to Scotland’s economy and rural communities, worth over £1.3 billion in 2024. 

McNeill said the HMRC figures show that Scottish salmon’s “hard-earned global reputation for quality remains unrivalled”.

“The UK Government’s support for Scotland's iconic food and drink sector, including via Brand Scotland and the trade deals we are securing, is helping exporters of our finest Scottish produce reach every corner of the globe while driving economic growth at home.”