Salmon Scotland, the trade body representing the UK’s largest food export, has called on the UK Government to pursue further negotiations with the United States after it was confirmed that a 10% tariff on Scottish salmon exports will remain in place under the newly announced UK-US trade deal.
Speaking after discussions with UK Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner, Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said the agreement marked a positive step but warned it should be viewed as a “staging post, not the destination” in ongoing efforts to reduce barriers for the industry.
“Scottish salmon is enjoyed in 50 countries worldwide, and we welcome strong trading relationships with overseas markets,” Scott said. “However, the 10 per cent tariff on exports to the US remains a barrier, and we want to see it removed.”
The US is Scotland’s second-largest export market, accounting for £225 million in sales in 2024 — more than a quarter of the UK’s total salmon exports by both value and volume. Despite the popularity of Scottish salmon in America, where it is considered a premium product, exporters face a competitive disadvantage compared to suppliers from countries like Chile, which dominates the US market.
Scott made his comments following meetings with UK officials and salmon businesses at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona, the world’s largest seafood trade event.
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