Scottish salmon farming now adds £1 billion a year to the Scottish economy, according to a major new independent study. It highlights the growing importance of the sector to rural communities, the national supply chain and Scotland’s global reputation for high quality food production.
The report, prepared by BiGGAR Economics for Salmon Scotland, shows the industry’s overall economic contribution has increased by 25 per cent in four years, driven by both sustained domestic demand and record international exports. It describes salmon farming as one of Scotland’s key rural economic drivers, creating 11,000 jobs across the country, including around 2,500 people directly employed in farming on the west coast and islands.
Average salaries in the industry are currently around £44,500, well above the Scottish average. The industry generated at least £37 million in taxes last year, excluding contributions from the wider supply chain. Analysts say salmon farming continues to play an important role in some of the country’s most economically vulnerable communities, supporting year-round jobs and attracting investment to remote coastal areas.
Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes, who met industry leaders in Edinburgh this week, said the results highlighted not only a major economic contribution but also the “resilience, innovation and commitment” of those working in the industry. She praised the sector for paying above-average wages, strengthening supply chains and supporting rural communities, adding that the Scottish Government would “continue to take bold steps” to ensure the sector remains a national success story.
The report shows that salmon farming directly contributed £231.2 million to gross value added in 2024, while a further £589.9 million was generated by companies supplying the sector. Additional impact came from continued investment and employee spending in local communities, bringing the total economic contribution to £953 million – a significant increase from £766 million in 2021. When broader impact measurements are included, the industry’s annual value rises to more than £1 billion.
Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said the industry’s continued growth reflected the hard work of farmers on the west coast and Scottish islands, where salmon farming remained a central pillar of the local economy. He said farmed salmon was “the economic backbone of some of Scotland’s most remote areas”, supporting thousands of well-paid jobs and a network of Scottish businesses that depend on its success. Scott added that the sector’s high environmental and animal welfare standards, combined with strong global demand, have helped position Scottish salmon as one of the world’s leading premium food products.
The economic impact is widely felt across Scotland’s five salmon producing regions. The Highlands benefit the most with more than £300 million generated locally, followed by Argyll and Bute, Shetland, the Western Isles and Orkney, each experiencing a significant economic boost from salmon-related jobs, investment and supply chain activity.
Nikki Keddie, director at BiGGAR Economics, said the report shows how salmon farming provides stability and opportunity in communities that might otherwise struggle to maintain long-term employment. She described the sector as a “vital economic anchor” for rural Scotland, noting that productivity in salmon farming is above the national average and plays an important role in supporting the resilience of Scotland’s coasts.
With increasing demand, expanding export markets and continued investment in innovation, the Scottish salmon sector is expected to remain a cornerstone of the national economy, creating jobs, strengthening supply chains and supporting communities on the west coast and Scottish islands.
