Bord Bia and 19 Irish seafood companies are participating in Seafood Expo Global (SEG), the world’s largest seafood trade fair, taking place in Brussels this week.
SEG attracts over 26,000 influential food buyers and suppliers from over 140 countries around the world every year. Bord Bia says that the Irish exhibitors attending this year’s event represent the full spectrum of species available from Ireland – including shellfish, whitefish, pelagic and finfish – in a range of formats, from live and chilled, to canned, frozen and smoked.
Irish seafood was exported to more than 70 markets worldwide last year, representing a total value of €570 million, an increase of 77% since 2009.
EU countries such as France, Spain, UK, Italy and Germany, continue to be Ireland’s key seafood export destinations, accounting for over 55% of total exports. However, over 20% of seafood exports are now destined for African countries and prospects for export growth in 2016 remain broadly positive, with companies looking to Asia and the United States.
Three of the Irish companies attending will use SEG as a chance to unveil new products aimed at the international market. Green Isle Foods will launch Donegal Catch Creations, a new range of frozen fish where each fillet is individually wrapped in a microwaveable pouch. Bantry Bay-based Keohane seafood will showcase its range of health ready meals for children, while Dublin’s Rockabill Seafood will launch three new products; live blue lobster, live brown crab and cooked frozen brown crab.
Bord Bia’s pavilion at SEG is part of its annual seafood trade promotional programme, which focuses on developing new market opportunities for the Irish seafood sector. It will also be present at shows such as Conxemar in Spain, Biofach in Germany and the Chinese Fisheries Show in Qingdao.
Speaking in advance of SEG, Karen Devereux, Bord Bia’s seafood sector manager, said, "These international trade events remain a critical business development platform for Irish exporters.
"Our presence offers Irish companies the opportunity to identify new customers, connect existing clients, launch new products, broaden their export reach, and learn about trends and innovations influencing the industry."
More information on the Irish presence at SEG can be found here.
© 2016 - Checkout Magazine by Jenny Whelan.
