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.
READ MORE: Tyndrum's Real Food Cafe nets prestigious fish and chips award
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.
READ MORE: Betrayal of Scottish fishermen by Johnson comes as no surprise
“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.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here