It’s often been said that Scotland has the best-stocked natural larder in the world, and certainly the increasing global demand for Scottish food and drink supports this.
Scotland produces some of the world’s finest seafood from the clean waters of its deep lochs and surrounding seas. With 12,000 kilometres of pristine coastline, fishermen, fish farmers and shellfish growers catch more than 65 species of the highest quality farmed fish and wild seafood.
With a reputation as a land of food and drink, Scotland has built a niche for itself at the premium end of the seafood market. Three main factors underpin the land of food and drink’s excellent reputation: premium quality, health and provenance.
One of Scotland’s most famous species, farmed salmon, ticks all three boxes and is fast becoming a very sought after product by chefs and retailers in the Middle East. In fact, exports of Scottish salmon to the Middle East are currently at record levels after six consecutive years of increases. Official data shows more than £15.2 million (US $23.06 million) of Scottish seafood were exported there in 2013, and £7.8 million ($11.83 million) went to the UAE, so it’s clear that this iconic Scottish product is gaining favour with those influential chefs and foodies in the region.
Scotland’s reputation for producing tasty, high quality salmon has been built from the high standards within the industry, a committed workforce, local engagement and confidence in a strong regulatory regime in Scotland.
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Of course, the quality of Scotland’s marine environment is another strong factor; the clear, fresh waters of the Scottish sea lochs are the ideal environmental conditions to produce high quality Scottish salmon, while the strong currents help to produce firm texture and exceptional flavour.
As a consequence of these high standards, it’s not suprising that Scottish salmon was last year named ‘best farmed salmon in the world’ for a second time by seafood buyers from 20 leading international retail and food service companies in a poll conducted by specialist publication Seafood International.
Scottish salmon is forging a global path in the premium lifestyle market. Global exports of fresh Scottish salmon from the UK have more than doubled in real terms over the last five years and were worth over £450 million ($682.8mn) in 2013, with the vast majority of supplies coming from Scotland. This strong salmon performance contributes to substantial exports of seafood from Scotland and delicious salmon products are enjoyed in over 60 countries around the world.
Maintaining the uniqueness of Scottish salmon is equally important. Scottish salmon is the holder of the European Protected Geographical Indication (PGI), awarded by the European Commission to promote the designation of a quality food or farmed product linked to a region, location or country. Scottish salmon celebrated 10 years of PGI in 2014.
Arab visitors have recently put great value in PGI because they saw it as proving that Scottish salmon is safe and traceable. Full traceability guarantees that Scottish salmon can be traced back to the farm of origin to provide highly detailed information on how the fish were grown and what they were fed. This is increasingly important to consumers at home and overseas, and gives confidence to importers.
Research has revealed that there is huge need in world markets for the sector to grow by a minimum of 8% per annum, just to be able to feed demand, which means terrestrial farmers will be faced with questions. The big untapped resource is using the sea to grow its salmon to achieve exceptional taste and quality. Healthy and nutritious fish are grown responsibly, respecting the environment, while maintaining jobs and supporting local economics in rural areas.
Recognising this, Scottish Development International and the Scottish Government have supported a planning reform for the aquaculture agenda to enable it to grow sustainably. There is an aspiration to grow the marine fin fish sector to 210,000 tonnes by 2020, from 158,000 tonnes in 2011.
Tom Marchbanks is the regional manager Middle East at Scottish Development International (SDI). SDI will be present at Gulfood 2015.
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