7 March 2016: Bord Bia, the Irish Food Board and ten Irish seafood companies are participating for the first time at the Seafood Expo North America (SENA) in Boston this week (6 to 8 March), building on the positive returns from the US market which Bord Bia estimates at €7 million for 2015.
The event is North America’s largest seafood fair attracting over 20,000 buyers and suppliers from over 40 countries. Bord Bia and the Irish exporters aim to develop business relationships and gain insights into new trends and innovations in the sector.
Bord Bia will provide market expertise and logisitical support to the participating Irish companies at the Origin Green - Ireland pavilion, arranging and facilitating buyer meetings and attracting potential customers to the Ireland stand where they can learn how seafood in Ireland is farmed and fished, through to the final product. The Irish stand and participants are supported by EU`s European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (EMFF).
Growth in the seafood sector
The Irish seafood sector recorded export growth of 4% last year to reach €560 million with an increase of 11% in average export prices more than offsetting a drop of 5% in volumes. Prospects for export growth in 2016 remain broadly positive with companies focusing their new market development efforts in Asia and the United States.
EXHIBITING COMPANIES
- Glenmar Shellfish Ltd
- Kush Seafarms
- Sofrimar
- McBride Fishing Co
- Irish Seafood Producers Group Ltd
- Errigal Bay
- Rockabill Shellfish
- Gallagher Bros (Fishing Merchants Ltd)
- Connemara Seafoods
- Hannigans Live Irish Shellfish
Export markets for seafood
The main EU markets, namely France, Spain, UK, Italy and Germany continue to dominate seafood exports, accounting for around 55% of total export values.
Seafood exports to International markets increased by 25% up to the end of September 2015 to reach €140million. This equates to around 34% of exports. Exports to the four main markets in Africa – Nigeria, Cameroon, Egypt and Ghana accounted for a total of 20% of total seafood export values. The Nigerian market showed export value growth of 44% on the back of a 30% lift in export volumes. Seafood exports to Cameroon fell by 13% in value terms while shipments to Egypt were 20% lower.
Exports to the four main Asian markets (China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Japan) increased by 24% in value terms to the end of September 2015. Strong value rises were recorded to China (+18%); South Korea (+29%), Hong Kong (+26%) and Japan (+22%) during the period.
Distribution of seafood exports, January to September (%)
Source: CSO Trade Statistics