31 January, 2007

SCOTTISH farmed salmon exports for last year will be higher than the 2005 total, marking an end of the decline in sales that began in 2003.

Last year Scotland exported more than 12 million whole salmon to 60 countries. Also nearly half a billion (475,000,000) Scottish farmed salmon meals were enjoyed worldwide.

Chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation (SSPO) Sid Patten said: "It is encouraging that the 2006 salmon exports are to increase, albeit marginally.

"Farmed salmon is a high growth sector of the food industry, however over the last few years the progress in Scotland has not matched the expanding global market."

Europe remains the major market for Scottish farmed salmon, with France its largest importer.

Mr Patten said: "We must continue to improve the competitiveness of our industry, so that we achieve growth in-line with market demand and compete with other salmon producing countries."