Liz Truss made the comments as Scottish salmon is benefiting from record levels of trade with Japan.
The Department for International Trade has posted that the latest figures show that Atlantic salmon exports to Japan were 1,060 tonnes, worth GBP 8.7 million in the 12 months to October 2019, an annual increase of over 71.8%.
In October, SalmonBusiness reported that now-Bakkafrost-owned Scottish Salmon Company completed a trial with its Tartan Salmon brand at Genki Sushi restaurants across Japan, now extending its promotion to a further 127 subsidiary group stores.
Post-Brexit, British politician Liz Truss currently serving as Secretary of State for International Trade, said she was optimistic about securing a future UK-Japan Free Trade Agreement.
“Scotland has a world-renowned food and drink sector and it’s great to see Scottish salmon being served up in sushi restaurants across Japan. Japan is one of our closest trading partners and it’s encouraging to see Scottish businesses already taking advantage of trading opportunities in one of the fastest-growing markets globally.
“Taking back control of our own trade policy will allow us to trade more with countries like Japan, creating greater opportunities and jobs throughout the whole of the UK,” said Truss.
Communications and New Business Development Director for The Scottish Salmon Company Su Cox said it expected that further increases and opportunities:
“Japan and the Far East is a key market and demand for our salmon has helped drive a 25% increase in our exports to the region over the past year. We expect this to increase as more consumers discover this fine Scottish product and experience the great taste and provenance of our quality ‘Tartan Salmon’. Our recent success with Genki Sushi is testament to this.
“We take great pride in our Scottish heritage, and this is demonstrated through our commitment to bringing the finest quality Scottish salmon to worldwide markets,” added Cox.
The European Union and Japan (EU-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement) – now the world’s largest free-trade zone – is now in force, scrapping duties on 97 per cent and 99 per cent of Japanese and European imports respectively. The UK is due to leave the European Union (EU) on 31 January 2020 and is currently negotiating a new trade treaty with Japan.
