Top chefs help serve up a US sales boost for Scottish salmon farmer
Loch Duart predicts 122% increase in turnover in America this year
Scottish salmon farmer Loch Duart is forecasting a 122% increase in sales in the United States this year, driven by growing demand, strategic partnerships, and continued investment in the American market.
Sutherland-based Loch Duart said the year-on-year increase marks a significant step in the company’s US growth strategy and reflects increasing demand for its ‘Heritage Breed’ salmon among American chefs, restaurants, and premium seafood distributors, supported by continued investment in building the brand’s presence across the country.
The fish farmer, which harvested 8,142 gutted weight tonnes in 2025-26, said that building meaningful relationships with the culinary community and supporting distributors was central to its strategy. It continues to invest in nationwide chef competitions alongside targeted chef collaborations designed to showcase the quality and versatility of its fish salmon to new audiences.
Recent partnerships include Michelin-recognised Las Vegas chef Yuri Szarzewski of Partage, one of Nevada’s leading French restaurants, and chef Alireza Saboor of Eyval in New York, recognised among The New York Times’ 100 Best Restaurants.
An incredibly important market
“The United States is an incredibly important market for Loch Duart, and the growth we’ve achieved reflects the strength of our product, the relationships we’ve built and our continued investment in the brand,” said Loch Duart sales and processing director Russell Leslie.
“We’ve made a conscious decision to invest in the people and businesses who can best champion our salmon. Working closely with some of America’s most respected seafood suppliers and chefs allows us to demonstrate what makes Loch Duart different and build genuine demand for our product.
“Our ambition is not simply to sell more salmon. We want Loch Duart to become a brand that chefs actively seek out and proudly serve by name, recognised for its exceptional quality, Scottish provenance and distinctive farming approach.
“Looking ahead, we see significant opportunities for further growth, with an ambition to double our US business again in the coming years.”
Casting its net widely
Loch Duart has put more focus on overseas markets as it has grown volume and sales.
In the 2024-25 financial year it had turnover of £55 million, of which £35.8m came from sales in the United Kingdom. That changed in the 2025-26 financial year, when Loch Duart recorded increased revenue of £65.3m. A smaller proportion of revenue, £18m, was made in the UK, with £23.3m (2024-25: £9.8m) made in the rest of Europe, and £17.9m (£9.5m) in the rest of the world.
Last month Loch Duart exhibited in China for the first time when it took part in the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo in Qingdao.
“We’re not coming to China to sell another commodity salmon into an already crowded market. We’re here to introduce what we believe is the finest farm-raised salmon in the world,” said Leslie at the time.
This year, the company has also exhibited at Seafood Expo North America in Boston and made its regular visit to Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, and joined a trade mission to India, which recently scrapped high tariffs on fish imported from the UK.
