Scottish salmon exports soared to a record-breaking £844 million in 2024, cementing its status as the UK’s top food export, driven by booming sales in France and the United States.
HMRC trade data revealed a 45 per cent year-on-year increase, comfortably surpassing the previous high of £618 million in 2019. Export volumes also surged, rising 59 per cent to 101,466 tonnes, with Scottish salmon reaching 48 international markets.
France remained the largest buyer, with exports jumping 70 per cent in value to £462 million and volumes increasing 87 per cent to 59,877 tonnes. The US followed, recording a 61 per cent rise in value to £225 million, alongside an 85 per cent volume boost to 24,410 tonnes. China also saw significant growth, with exports climbing 60 per cent in value to £76 million, driven by a 107 per cent rise in volume to 8,175 tonnes.
However, not all markets performed well. Exports to Poland plummeted by £31.5 million to £5 million, while sales to the Netherlands dropped by £12.3 million to just £2 million.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, attributed the record figures to “the increasing global demand” for Scottish salmon. The sector directly employs around 2,500 people in Scotland, with its supply chain supporting a further 10,000 jobs.
Yet the industry remains under scrutiny from environmental and animal welfare groups over concerns including fish mortality rates, escapes, and chemical treatments. Last month, the Scottish Parliament’s rural affairs and islands committee recommended that fish farms with persistently high mortality rates should be shut down.
Scott defended the industry’s standards, stating: “Salmon farmers in our rural and coastal communities go out every day to raise healthy fish which end up on plates in dozens of countries. Producers have also invested hundreds of millions of pounds to further boost already world-leading welfare standards.”
He called for “better, not less, regulation” from the government, arguing that improved policies could drive further economic growth and job creation.
While salmon exports surged, Scotch whisky – the UK’s leading drinks export – saw a 3.7 per cent decline in value to £5.4 billion in 2024.
Despite remaining the most valuable market, US sales dipped 0.7 per cent to £978 million. Meanwhile, exports to France, Singapore, and Taiwan all fell sharply, with only India showing growth among the top five whisky markets, rising 13.8 per cent to £248 million.
Single malt whisky, typically positioned at the premium end of the market, suffered a 17.2 per cent drop in sales to £1.7 billion. Bottled blends, however, remained the dominant category, increasing 4.4 per cent to £3.2 billion.
Mark Kent, chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association, said shifting global trade dynamics were creating challenges: “Overseas, the tectonic plates of trade are shifting, and exports to traditionally strong markets in the EU and North America have become much more challenging.”
