Trade body Salmon Scotland has welcomed the results of the Scottish Government’s annual Fish Farm Production Survey, which reveals an increase in salmon production.

The survey recorded a 5,836 ton increase in salmon production, up by three per cent year on year, and a 20 per cent rise in smolt output for 2025.

Salmon is the UK’s biggest food export and most popular fish, supporting 11,000 jobs in Scotland and generating £760million for the local economy.

More than 2,460 people are directly employed in salmon farming across Scotland and the number employed specifically in seawater salmon production increased by 48, or four per cent, from 1,362 in 2024 to 1,410 in 2025.

Tavish Scott, chief executive of Scottish Salmon, said: “These figures are another vote of confidence in Scottish salmon, with production up by three per cent as our farmers respond to strong demand at home and growing interest in markets around the world.

“Employment is also up again, underlining the importance of salmon farming to Scotland’s rural and coastal communities. These are high-quality, well-paid jobs which help sustain local economies and enable communities to thrive.

“Our producers are continuing to invest for the future, helping ensure Scotland can meet growing demand at home and overseas while supporting the communities where salmon farming matters most.”

Farmed salmon is estimated to be used in around 850million meals every year and production of it is based across the Highlands and Islands and the west coast.

The Scottish Fish Farm Production Survey for 2025 was published by Scottish Government on 30 September.

The report is based on the returns of an annual survey questionnaire sent to all active authorised fish farming businesses in Scotland during 2025. It includes statistics on employment, production and value.

Among the other key findings in the report were that the number of smolts had increased by 8.9million or 20 per cent to 53.5million in 2025, providing an indication of future production and continued investment in the sector.

The survival-to-harvest rate for the 2023 Atlantic salmon year class increased to 68.8 per cent compared with 61.8 per cent for the 2022 year class. Farmed Scottish salmon spend around 18 months in the sea. The survival-to-harvest figures in the report relate to the 2023 year class and therefore lag behind more recent sector data.

Salmon Scotland said they voluntarily publish monthly survival rates for all seawater salmon farms.

Monthly survival rates in 2025 averaged 98.3 per cent.

Survival rates remain close to record highs, with average monthly survival of 99.05 per cent in the first seven months of 2026, compared with 99.07 per cent over the same period in 2025.

The trade body also pointed out salmon farmers have invested more than £1billion in technology, infrastructure, monitoring, fish health and veterinary care to improve survival and respond to changing environmental conditions.