Scottish seafood exports to Japan up 340%

By Gwen Ridler

- Last updated on GMT

Scottish seafood exports grew to 2,630 tonnes last year
Scottish seafood exports grew to 2,630 tonnes last year

Related tags Meat & Seafood

Scottish seafood exports to Japan more than quadrupled last year, as a contingent of seafood companies head east to bolster the export trend.

Exports grew to 2,630 tonnes (t) last year – up from 598t reported in 2017 – driven by a growing demand for high-quality, sustainable seafood in volume.

Natalie Bell, head of trade marketing Asia, Europe and Middle East at Seafood Scotland, commented: “The Japanese culture values prestige, reputation and respect above all else, with consumers aligning themselves with products and organisations that embody these values. The Scottish seafood story is the perfect fit. It is a traditional market, so our continued work here is imperative.”

Scottish delegation to Japan

To support Scotland’s export success, 10 of the country’s actively exporting seafood companies (see box below) will be attending Japan Seafood Expo 2019 – the largest representation for Scottish seafood at the show to date and accounting for a substantial portion of the country’s catch.

Neil Greig, commercial director at Associated Seafoods, attending the show for the first time, said Japan was a new and exciting opportunity for the company.

“We know the Japanese consumer values high-quality seafood and we believe our authentic, premium Scottish smoked salmon is ideally placed to be well received by arguably the world’s most discerning seafood consumer,”​ he added.

Invaluable experience

“The support and guidance we have received from Seafood Scotland in the past in opening new markets has been invaluable and we see them playing an important role as we move forward in Japan.”

In addition to attending the Expo, the Scottish contingent will host a ‘Taste of Scotland’ seafood reception at the Ambassador’s Residence in the British Embassy, in an effort to form new ties with buyers and chefs.

Natalie Bell concluded: “Our aim is to continue to help Scotland grow in Japan, and the Japan Seafood Show provides a fantastic platform for this. It offers our most ambitious exporters the opportunity to take advantage of and make the all-important connections with buyers across the region.”

Scottish delegation to Japan Seafood Expo 2019

  • Hebridean Smokehouse
  • Denholm Seafoods
  • Lunar
  • Scottish Salmon Company
  • Scottish Fishermen’s Organisation
  • The Crab Company Scotland
  • Northbay Pelagic
  • Associated Seafoods
  • JPL Shellfish
  • Mowi

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