Scotland's smallest salmon farmers aim for big impact in Boston
Scotland’s smallest salmon farmers will fly the flag for the high end of the sector at Seafood Expo North America in Boston from Sunday.
Loch Duart, which produces around 9,500 tonnes a year, and Wester Ross Fisheries, a niche producer now owned by the world’s biggest salmon farmer, Mowi, have stands in Seafood from Scotland’s Scottish Pavilion.
Loch Duart said its heritage breed salmon is increasingly popular in North America and has grown significantly following a recent culinary competition in partnership with Chef’s Roll, an online “global culinary community” that organises contests, events and programmes to engage with members and offer opportunities and inspiration.
Chefs in the US were challenged to create a signature dish using Loch Duart salmon, with two chefs - Yuri Szarzewski from the Partage restaurant, Las Vegas, and Marat Nezamov from New York’s Level restaurant - winning a trip to visit Sutherland-based Loch Duart.
Fast-growing market
“Being part of the Boston Seafood Expo is vital to Loch Duart Salmon as the US is one of our fastest growing markets,” said Loch Duart marketing and communications manager Adam Gray.
“From first-hand experience we know that chefs, restaurants and discerning food lovers value the quality and versatility of Loch Duart Salmon, something last year’s US culinary competition highlighted perfectly.”
He added: “We’re proud to represent Scotland’s vibrant seafood sector as Scotland’s premier producer of salmon, and we look forward to meeting buyers and chefs who want to elevate their salmon game and experience the difference Loch Duart Salmon offers.”
Smaller scale
Loch Duart says its salmon is raised at a smaller scale than “commodity salmon” and comes from a unique lineage of wild fish native to northwest Scotland, retaining the “exceptional flavour and eating qualities associated with wild Scottish salmon”.
The company uses feed with a 50% marine content including marine content from MSC or Marin Trust approved trimmings from the UK fish processing industry.
Differentiated products
According to Mowi’s report for the fourth quarter of 2025, Wester Ross fish - also farmed in a less intensive manner than standard - were popular in the US market.
“Achieved prices increased from Q4 2024 on the back of strong superior share and sale of differentiated products including Wester Ross brand,” the company wrote.
Along with Loch Duart and Wester Ross, the Scottish Pavilion will contain stands for Musselburgh fish processor JK Thompson, and Peterhead seafood products manufacturer Thistle Seafood.
Lunar Freezing & Cold Storage Co Ltd, which has bases in Peterhead, Fraserburgh and Aberdeen, and Lunar Fishing, which operates four vessels, have a pod.
