UK HM Revenue & Customs figures have shown that the international sales of Scottish salmon have decreased an 8% compared to 2021 due to post-Covid and Brexit challenges. However, Scottish salmon is still UK's biggest food export.
In more detail, these sales were valued at £280 million in the first half of 2022, with France accounting for more than half of the total. On the other hand, British consumers increased Scottish salmon consumption. Separate data estimates that sales of salmon in UK shops soared to £1.1billion in 2021.
In the past times, farmers and producers have faced bad weather at the start of the year affecting harvests, post-Brexit, and pandemic-induced labor shortages, cross-Channel delays, and a cumbersome regulation system in Scotland that needs urgent reform and streamlining.
Consequently, Salmon Scotland has called on the Scottish and UK governments to take action to support the sector. In the same vein, it proposes a streamlined regulatory system similar to the Norwegian model and measures to address planning hold-ups for new salmon farms.
Regarding all this, Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, explained: "With Scottish Government reform of the cluttered regulatory landscape, and UK Government reform of labor rules and the cross-Channel set-up, we will be able to deliver further sustainable growth to support our most isolated communities."