John Ross Jr (Aberdeen) won the Going Global award - sponsored by Aberdeen International Airport - at the 2026 Northern Star Business Awards.
John Ross Jr (Aberdeen) Ltd proudly continues the heritage of artisan fish smoking using original red-brick kilns dating back to 1857. These time-honoured techniques, combined with the finest Scottish salmon, allow John Ross to produce an award-winning range of smoked salmon that is globally recognised.
While the UK remains a key domestic market, international trade has been at the heart of the company’s growth. Europe is the company’s strongest export region, with Germany and Belgium as key markets. Beyond Europe, the brand has built a presence in the Middle East, the United States, the Caribbean, and the Far East - demonstrating both the global appeal and operational capability of a business rooted in traditional Scottish craftsmanship, yet driven by modern ambition.
Going Global NSBA2026 John Ross Jr (Aberdeen) with sponsor Aberdeen International Airport
Against a challenging international backdrop - where the Global Sales Index projects a modest 1.2% increase in global trade for 2025 - John Ross has significantly outperformed market expectations. The company has achieved 38% growth in new overseas revenue over the past 12 months.
Despite the significant and ongoing challenges posed by Brexit, the team at John Ross has demonstrated exceptional resilience and determination in navigating complex regulatory frameworks and adapting to unforeseen bureaucratic hurdles.
While many exporters withdrew from the EU market, the team at John Ross remained committed and, in total, operates across Antigua, Austria, Bahrain, Barbados, Belgium, Belgium, Bermuda, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Italy, Japan, Kuwait, Mauritius, St Lucia, Switzerland and the United States.