|
SCOTTISH food exports have broken through the £1-billion barrier - with fish and seafood accounting for well over half of that total, Scottish Development International (SDI) has just announced.
The new figures, which have been extracted from official HMRC export statistics for 2010, show that food exports alone soared by almost 14 per cent to £1.06bn, and the combined total international sales for Scottish food and Scotch whisky increased by 11per cent to £4.51bn during last year.
The international success of the Scottish food and drink industry has long been supported by strong Scotch whisky sales and, as in previous years, Scotch whisky exports accounted for the lion's share of the overall food and drink exports figure during 2010, standing at £3.45bn (up 10 per cent on 2009).
However, news that food exports have broken the £1bn barrier for the first time is seen as an extremely positive development, signalling increasing international awareness and appreciation of the quality and provenance of Scottish food, and Scotland's distinguished heritage as a food-producing nation. But the cheering news for fishermen is that the largest share of food exports was in the fish and seafood sector, with international sales hitting £620 million.
This represents growth of 12 per cent in terms of value compared the previous year, and this result has been aided by a collaborative industry effort to boost overseas demand for Scottish fish and seafood, and in particular Scottish salmon.
Fresh salmon alone enjoyed an increase in exports volumes of 20 per cent, rising to 78,611 tonnes from 65,480 tonnes the previous year thanks to an increasing global appreciation for the product's PGI status and its premium taste, quality and character. Seven of the top 10 export markets grew in volume in 2010 with the USA the biggest international market for Scottish salmon (31,924 tonnes).
Elsewhere, the greatest growth in international sales during 2010 was registered in the fruit and vegetable (54%) category, thanks to a significant lift in exports of Scottish seed potatoes.
The fastest growing markets for Scottish food and seafood products are Poland (up 139 per cent on 2009), UAE (plus114 per cent), Germany (plus 29 per cent), USA (plus 25 per cent ), Canada (plus24 per cent), Japan (plus 22 per cent ) and France (plus15 per cent).
Should people be 'stimulated' to eat white fish alternatives to cod?
