Smoked salmon market in Ireland

Earlier Report Observations

The market for smoked salmon in Ireland saw significant fluctuations between 2018 and 2020. Starting at $36.3 million in 2018, it dipped to $32.4 million the following year. During this period, increased demand for Irish organic salmon boosted prices, but slow aquaculture licensing reform limited industry expansion. By 2019, salmon export values rose while physical volumes declined. In 2020, the market surged to a peak of $51.6 million, driven by a sharp increase in domestic production.

After the 2020 peak, the market contracted to $29.7 million in 2021 before recovering slightly to $30.6 million in 2022. This recovery was supported by long-term growth in Irish salmon demand, which had been rising at 7.7% annually since 1997, and by a peak in EU smoked salmon consumption with 5.7% growth in 2022.

Market growth resumed in 2023, reaching $34.2 million, fueled by production-capacity investments such as the €171,000 upgrade at Burren Smokehouse and a more than 50% increase in salmon harvest volumes in aquaculture. In 2024, the market softened to $31.7 million amid new wild salmon and sea trout conservation legislation and strong consumer preference for organic and sustainably produced smoked salmon, emphasized by producers like Wrights of Howth.

Production smoked salmon in Ireland

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Ireland's smoked salmon production was valued at 48 631 thousand US dollars, marking a significant 62.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 98%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 25.6%. The most notable decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 15.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In kind, 2017-2020, t

In 2020, Ireland produced 1 685 tonnes of smoked salmon, representing a sharp 32.3% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 59.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 13.2%, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018, with a 38.9% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports smoked salmon from Ireland

Exports in kind, t

Ireland's exports of smoked salmon declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 201.6 tonnes, down 36.5% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 39.9%, corresponding to a compound annual decline rate of 15.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Germany were the leading destinations for Ireland's smoked salmon exports in volume terms. France accounted for 42.7% of exports, the Netherlands for 11.5%, and Germany for 10.9%. Together, these three countries represented 65.0% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Ireland's smoked salmon exports declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, export value reached 6 092 thousand US dollars, a 12.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 19.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 8 168 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 14.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, with an 8.4% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During 2017-2020, France, Italy, and Germany were the key partners for Ireland's smoked salmon exports in value terms. France held 53.5% of export value, Italy 10.0%, and Germany 9.7%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Ireland in value, 2017-2020

Imports smoked salmon to Ireland

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Ireland's smoked salmon imports declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 505.3 tonnes, a 2.8% decrease year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 48.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.0%. The highest volume was in 2019 at 519.9 tonnes, and the largest increase occurred in 2018, with a 33.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Germany and Belgium were the core sources for Ireland's smoked salmon imports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 92.0% of total flows. Other destinations contributed relatively smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year upward trend, Ireland's smoked salmon imports declined. In 2020, import value stood at 9 062 thousand US dollars, showing a gradual 3.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 35.9%, with an average annual increase of 10.8%. The peak value was in 2019 at 9 398 thousand US dollars, and the largest rise was in 2018, with a 36.2% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Throughout 2017-2020, Germany and Belgium dominated Ireland's smoked salmon imports in value terms, concentrating 93.3% of total flows. The remaining share was distributed among other destinations, each with smaller individual contributions.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Ireland in value, 2017-2020