Scottish Salmon Solidifies Its Status as UK’s Top Food Export with £828 Million in 2025

Scottish salmon has reaffirmed its place as the UK’s most valuable food export, with international sales soaring to £828 million in 2025, according to the latest data published by HM Revenue & Customs.

Driving Forces Behind Export Growth

The impressive export performance is largely attributed to the rising demand in Asia, which saw an increase of over 18%, particularly in China and Vietnam. Scottish salmon continues to enjoy a premium reputation globally, celebrated for its quality and provenance.

Record Export Volumes

Farmed in the pristine waters surrounding the north-west Highlands, Argyll and Bute, as well as the Western Isles, Orkney, and Shetland, Scottish salmon was exported to 45 countries last year. The total export volume reached an unprecedented 111,000 tonnes, marking a 9% increase compared to the previous year.

Market Comparisons

The HMRC data indicates that Scottish salmon maintains a significant lead over other major UK food exports, including cheese, lamb, and beef. Additionally, it stands as the largest single food export processed at Heathrow Airport, showcasing the critical role of air freight in preserving freshness for international markets.

Key Export Destinations

France continues to be the largest market for Scottish salmon, accounting for 42% of total export value, followed closely by the United States at 40%.

Looking to the Future

Producers are gearing up to expand into India following the implementation of a new free trade agreement, which presents further opportunities in this rapidly growing market.

Domestic Popularity

On the domestic front, salmon remains the UK’s favorite fish, with retail sales rising by 7.2% to £1.5 billion for the 12 months leading up to August 2025. The sector is instrumental in supporting approximately 2,500 jobs directly in coastal communities and a further 8,500 roles throughout the supply chain, contributing about £1 billion to the economy annually.

Industry Perspectives

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, expressed that these figures reflect the “surging global appetite” for a product renowned worldwide for its excellence. He emphasized the importance of the sector in providing employment in rural and island areas and called for “smarter, more effective regulation” to enable further growth.

Government Endorsements

Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, Kate Forbes, highlighted the industry’s resilience amid challenging trade conditions, emphasizing its significant economic impact, with the sector valued at over £1.3 billion in Scotland for 2024.

Scotland Office Minister Kirsty McNeill described salmon as “one of the jewels in the crown” of Scotland’s food and drink sector, attributing the continued international growth to trade agreements and export promotion initiatives.

Image © Sabrina St. from Pixabay

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