The Irish Food Board and 19 Origin Green Irish seafood companies will continue the drive to increase the value of Irish seafood exports during Seafood Expo Global (SEG) which will take place in Brussels between 21st and 23rd April. Seafood Expo Global is the world’s largest seafood trade fair attracting over 25,000 buyers and seafood companies from over 145 countries.
Bord Bia personnel at the "Ireland - Origin Green" pavilion will provide marketing expertise and practical backup support to participating companies as they deepen existing business relations, attract new customers, launch new products and absorb emerging trends.
The exhibitors at the Bord Bia pavilion will cover the full spectrum of species available from Ireland - shellfish, whitefish, pelagic and finfish - in a range of formats including live, chilled, canned, frozen and smoked.
Speaking in advance of the event Aidan Cotter Chief Executive of Bord Bia said:
"Seafood Expo Global gives us the opportunity to strengthen further our growth in international markets and convince buyers of the uniqueness of our seafood products. Increased international demand is the best buffer against price volatility and while the EU remains our most valuable export market, accounting for almost 60% in value terms, international markets grew by 20% in value to €185 million in 2014. Notable growth was seen in African markets such as Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt, as well as in Asia with China and South Korea very prominent, while the weaker Euro is also helping to make our products more competitive in certain target markets.
The event also allows us convince international buyers of the unique quality of our seafood and our commitment -- through our Origin Green programme – to putting sustainability at the heart of our production systems. Such values, demanded by today`s consumers, are increasingly becoming key requirements of international buyers"
The value of Irish seafood exports in 2014 was €533m. Exports to 80 markets worldwide account for approximately 59% of total annual output from the sector.
Exports to the three main markets in Africa – Nigeria, Cameroon and Egypt accounted for a total of 18% of total seafood export values and represented an annual increase of around 30% in export value. Asia reached approximately €50 million, led by China which increased by 45% in 2014. Exports to Hong Kong grew by 62% with South Korea showing growth of 10%.
New Product Launches
A number of new products will be launched at SEG by Irish seafood exporters. Errigal Bay will use the show as a platform to launch the first products in its new convenience range, which includes prawns brochette, queen scallops in a flavoured butter as well as king scallops wrapped in bacon.
Another product launch at the Irish pavilion will be the "Something Fishy" Irish Shellfish Culinary Butter from iASC (Irish Atlantic Seafood Company). Produced from sustainable Irish shellfish, foraged Atlantic Coast seaweeds, and Irish creamery butter; Something Fishy is a low salt, natural replacement for high sodium bouillons, pastes, gels and powders.
The product which will be hosted at the event by Rockabill Shellfish has been nominated for the Seafood Prix d’Elite award, and is produced in three flavours: Asian Infusion, Sweet Onion, and Natural Dulse.
The Bord Bia Ireland stand will be hosted in hall 9, stand 4159 and 4259 with 21 Irish seafood exporters. The Irish exhibitor list is as follows:
1. Atlanfish (www.atlanfish.com)
2. Connemara Seafoods (www.connemaraseafoods.com )
3. Dungarvan Shellfish (www.hartyoysters.com)
4. Emerald Mussels ( www.verwijs.com )
5. Errigal Bay (www.errigalbay.com)
6. Gallagher Bros (Fish Merchants)
7. Irish Fish Canners (www.irishfishcanners.ie)
8. Irish Seafood Producers Group (ISPG) ( www.ispg.ie )
9. Keohane Seafood (www.keohaneseafoods.ie )
10. Killybegs Seafoods (www.killybegsseafoods.com )
11. Kush Shellfish (www.kush.ie )
12. Marine Harvest (www.marineharvestireland.com)
13. Norfish Ltd ( www.norfishltd.com )
14. O Cathain Iasc
15. Premier Fish Products
16. Rockabill Shellfish (www.rockabill.ie)
17. Sean Ward Fish Exports (www.wardfish.com )
18. Shellfish de la Mer (www.shellfishireland.com )
19. Sofrimar (www.sofrimar.ie )