10% tariff won't stop US sales, say Scottish salmon farmers

Scotland’s salmon farmers say they are confident consumers in the United States will continue to buy their fish despite a 10% import tariff announced by US president Donald Trump on Wednesday.

“Around a quarter of the salmon exported from Scotland is for the American market, where our premium product is increasingly popular,” said Tavish Scott, chief executive of trade body Salmon Scotland.

“We have great confidence that Americans will continue to buy nutritious Scottish salmon, particularly when the country is reliant on imports to meet US consumer demand.

“Salmon producers want a business-like and stable trade relationship with the USA, so we support the UK Government’s efforts to achieve that outcome through a calm and measured approach.”

In 2024, exports of salmon to the US were valued at £225 million, an increase of £85.4m (61%) compared to 2023. That makes the US the second most valuable export market for Scottish salmon, after France.

15% tariff on Norway

Trump has imposed a minimum of 10% tariff on imports from all countries, although imports from some countries will face much higher tariffs, depending on what the Trump administration calculates that they add to the price of US exports.

Chile, which exports around half of the salmon imported to the US, is also facing a 10% tariff, as is Iceland, while imports from Norway will attract a 15% tariff. This means that Scottish salmon won’t be at a price disadvantage compared to other imported salmon.

Tariff-free domestic production of Atlantic salmon is largely limited to Cooke Aquaculture’s sea farms in Maine, plus around 4,000 tonnes a year from land-based farmer Atlantic Sapphire in Florida, although the US also has flow-through trout farms which might offer an alternative for price-conscious consumers.