SALES of Irish seafood reached €803 million last year, a 6% increase on the 2006 figure, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s annual review of the industry.
Provisional figures have revealed the retail and foodservice marketcontinued to show growth. Domestic sales to the retail sector increased by 7% to €169m while sales to the food service sector rose 5% to €213m.
BIM chief executive Jason Whooley said much of the growth was due to improved innovation and greater marketing effort. The performance was underpinned by good growth in the domestic market, achieved on the back of record consumption in 2006.
While the growth in exports was modest, it was pleasing to see Irish seafood holding its own in traditional markets while also enjoying a significant increase in sales in non-traditional markets such as Asia and Africa, he said.
Irish seafood exports last year were valued at around €360m, similar to 2006, with France accounting for 24% of total exports (€85m). The second most important destination for Irish seafood was Britain with €68.6m of exports.
Mr Whooley said Irish seafood exporters are becoming increasingly innovative and exploring new markets. A positive aspect was increased sales to the non-traditional markets of Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong and China, which collectively represented €20 m.
Further afield, pelagic exports to Nigeria increased 120% in volume and 80% in value to almost €10m. There was also a lift in trade to Egypt with seafood exports worth approximately €7m.
"With increasingly challenging economic conditions globally, it is crucial Ireland focuses on maximising its indigenous industries, including the seafood sector," he said.
BIM chairman Rose McHugh said: "A focus on implementing the Government’s decommissioning programme, increased innovation in all areas and assisting companies maximise their activity through improved marketing and research and development will be key in 2008."
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, January 18, 2008
