SCOTTISH salmon exports have skyrocketed following a spike in popularity across Far East Asia.

Interest from Japan and Taiwan has helped drive sales, with figures showing a record £346 million-worth of salmon exported in the first half of 2017.

The numbers represent a 70 per cent increase in export value when compared to the same period last year, and the second quarter of this year shows a notable 22 per cent increase on the first quarter.

While the US remains the single largest market, China is responsible for around £44m so far this year.

Indeed, experts are encouraged by the sales growth across Asia with Taiwan and Japan accounting for £9m worth of exports in just a three-month period.

Scott Landsburgh, chief executive of the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation (SSPO), said the Far East is on course to become a major export market behind the US.

He said: “The development of the Far East marketplace is a huge programme of work and the fact that annual Chinese exports are now worth around £90m from a standing start six or seven years ago indicates that this has been worth the effort.

“East Asian markets are becoming increasingly significant, with Taiwan and Vietnam in the top 10 importers.

“We continue to see the huge global opportunity for high quality Scottish food and for salmon in particular.

“Quality and provenance are highly prized in all markets and Scottish salmon fits the bill. Its traceability from source to plate is another respected attribute in the Far East.”

Landsburgh acknowledged the support that the sector has received from the Scottish Government and Scotland Food and Drink for committing resources to the export strategy for food and drink.

Fergus Ewing, rural economy secretary, added: “This is good news for Scotland’s aquaculture industry, clearly demonstrating that demand is growing around the world for quality salmon.

“It is proof that our industry is thriving and testament to the hard work going on between government, stakeholders and industry to support sustainable growth and access to new markets.

“Particularly pleasing is the success of our work to unlock more markets in the Far East, which have been key industry target areas.”

Scottish salmon will likely prove to be one of the major attractions at the Japan Seafood Expo, which takes place later this month.

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, noted that many of Scotland’s exports are also on the rise, with the popularity of whisky continuing to dominate.

He said: “This is a phenomenal set of salmon export results and demonstrates the growing global demand for world-class Scottish products.

“As consumers overseas look for high quality products with a strong story behind them, few countries are as well placed to succeed in the coming years as Scotland.”

“The growth in the Far East reflects the talent of salmon producers here and also the hard work of the trade specialists now embedded by the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership in priority export markets.

“We’re also seeing exceptional growth in other core markets such as North America where salmon sales have nearly doubled versus the first half of 2016 to £133m.”

“As consumers overseas look for high quality products with a strong story behind them, few countries are as well placed to succeed in the coming years as Scotland.

“Our sales of Scottish food globally have risen 110 per cent to £1.5bn over the last 10 years, but we have greater potential still.

“It is great to see our food exports following in the footsteps our number one export, Scotch Whisky, which is also showing continued growth this year.”