The Scottish salmon industry directly supports 180 local jobs in the islands.

Related story: Success of Scottish Salmon

For the first time, a regional breakdown of the annual figures by trade body Salmon Scotland shows that 10,800 tonnes were exported from Orkney in 2021, representing 11% of the Scotland-wide share.

Overall, Scottish salmon overseas sales increased to £614million – up 36% compared to 2020 and only marginally below the £618million recorded in 2019.

Exports were shipped to 52 different markets last year, led by France, the USA and China.

The industry directly employs 2,500 people in Scotland and supports more than 3,600 suppliers, with 10,000 jobs dependent on the sector.

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Salmon Scotland, said:

“As well as creating thousands of jobs and opportunities here at home, farm-raised Scottish salmon is a global success story with high environmental and welfare standards that puts the best-tasting and healthiest protein product on people’s plates.”

The industry body Salmon Scotland has welcomed the review of the aquaculture industry published in the Griggs Report.