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SEAFOOD is helping to drive up record exports of Scottish food products, new figures have shown.
The Government Agency Scottish Development International says that overseas sales home produced food products increased by 20 per cent last year - one of the highest rises on record - and that sales of fish and other types of seafood was behind the performance.
The figures show sales totalled £934 million in 2009 - not far short of a billion pounds.Seafood exports led the way, with international sales increasing by 20 per cent to £555 million. The clear favourite - and not surprisingly - was Scottish salmon which is regarded as being among the best in the world and notched up overseas sales of £285 million.
Europe was the main destination for Scottish food with France, Ireland and Spain listed as the top three export markets. Total export sales to fish hungry France alone grew by 24 per cent last year.
Other export markets that saw a rise in food sales include the Netherlands (up per cent)) and Germany (up by 43 per cent to £56 million) supported by strong dairy exports and Russia, up by 24 per cent and supported by strong seafood sales.
David Smith, interim chief executive of Scottish development International said: “The combination of sustained growth in existing markets and strong interest in Scottish produce from emerging markets means that our food and drink exports have continued to soar.
He added:“If we can achieve such impressive growth with only 29 per cent of Scottish businesses currently involved in international activity, I am very excited by the potential of what could be achieved if we can engage more companies in export activity."
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