Scottish salmon exports will exceed £1 billion for the first time, as demand surges in international markets including the United States, China and Canada.
According to Salmon Scotland, new figures show that foreign sales have risen 33 per cent to £941 million in the 12 months to June. Exports were worth £528 million in the first half of 2025 alone, bringing the UK’s largest food exports to good shape in a record year.
Scottish producers are poised to enter the lucrative Indian market after the UK reached a free trade agreement with the country, which would reduce tariffs on salmon exports.
Scott Salmon CEO Tavish Scott said the latest figures reflect the industry’s “outstanding success” and the hard work of farmers with growing global demand.
“With international sales reaching £1 billion, Scottish salmon continues to perform well on the world stage, especially in the United States where our demand remains strong,” he said. “However, tariffs remain a significant obstacle, with an estimated loss of £30 million per year. Deleting these tariffs will bring greater opportunities for exporters.”
Compared with the same period last year, the U.S. market grew 110% in the first half of 2025 to £190 million. China rose 75% to £74 million, Taiwan rose 45% to £17 million, and Canada’s share price rose 1,300% to £21 million.
Although France remains 45% of Scottish salmon sales, the overall EU exports fell 7% to £423 million. In contrast, the non-EU market soared 106% to £518 million.
The industry also benefits from increased survival and higher harvests, with monthly survival averaged 99.12% between January and June, the best starting point for a year since the 2018 record began.
Scottish Cabinet Secretary for Country Affairs Mairi Gougeon praised the “excellent performance” and said the government is working with the industry to maintain growth. “Reducing our tariffs on Scottish agricultural products, including salmon, is a priority,” she said.
Salmon farming contributed £766 million of total value-added (GVA) to the UK economy, employing 2500 people directly in Scotland and providing another 10,000 jobs in coastal and island communities.
