THE challenges of the past four months have noticeably shifted Scotland’s seafood market, according to trade organisation Seafood Scotland.

The organisation, which works to increase the value of return to the Scottish seafood sector through trade promotion and business development support, suggests that exporting profiles are also set to shift, with Brexit looming large on the minds of businesses.

Current business behaviour points to a market dominated by long-haul and domestic markets in the wake of “buy local” campaigns in European markets during Covid-19 restrictions.

Many companies saw themselves turning to the domestic market, which would usually account for just 20% of trade. This too saw a significant impact as a result of the restrictions, with the closure of food services across the country.

Despite the challenges, many seafood businesses reported successful changes and built on the domestic consumer side of their firms.

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Doing so was “not enough to replace lost income” from usual trade, but enough to keep operations going in addition to the support received from Government packages.

Natalie Bell, head of trade marketing for Europe, Middle East and Asia at Seafood Scotland, said: “The market profile has changed considerably. UK consumers are demanding more of their own seafood, as opposed to the 60% that is normally imported from places like Norway.

“Buying decisions are being driven by purpose, and ‘buy local’ is top of both consumer and food service consciousness, so the demand for more is likely to continue.”

Bell said that the organisation has received a greater volume of enquiries from Scottish firms looking to widen their export base beyond Europe. She added: “This could potentially result in a more sophisticated market that places higher value on domestic and long-haul markets – which is a significant turnaround, and it will have myriad impacts on transport, certification, processing practices, product, flavour and packaging profiles and species selection.

“Furthermore, it helps companies to de-risk their operations, spreading their catch over more markets in case of future localised shutdowns.

“We are receiving a greater volume of enquiries from Scottish companies looking to widen their export base.

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“Those that traditionally stuck to the key European markets are now extremely interested in sending their produce further afield to places such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia.

“Scottish seafood and its quality is widely recognised in many markets, and when passenger air routes settle into a consistent pattern, we will see higher volumes of Scottish seafood travelling beyond Europe.

"However, exporting profiles will also shift, with Brexit looming large on the minds of businesses."

Natalie continues: “We are receiving a greater volume of enquiries from Scottish companies looking to widen their export base. Those that traditionally stuck to the key European markets are now extremely interested in sending their produce further afield to places such as Singapore, Indonesia, and Saudi Arabia. Scottish seafood and its quality is widely recognised in many markets, and when passenger air routes settle into a consistent pattern, we will see higher volumes of Scottish seafood travelling beyond Europe.

“This could potentially result in a more sophisticated market that places higher value on domestic and long-haul markets – which is a significant turnaround, and it will have myriad impacts on transport, certification, processing practices, product, flavour and packaging profiles and species selection. Furthermore, it helps companies to de-risk their operations, spreading their catch over more markets in case of further localised shut-downs in future.”