Bord Bia is leading 20 Irish food exporters at the Seafood Expo Global (SEG) trade fair in Brussels this week, competing against 77 other exporting countries for business in a sector that promises considerable growth in the future. The event also celebrates innovation, and Irish company Iasc Atlantic Seafood is nominated for an excellence award for its latest sauce and dressing.
Speaking in Brussels, Bord Bia CEO Tara McCarthy said that trade events like SEG play a key role in Bord Bia’s marketing strategy: “We are using SEG to deepen existing relationships with international buyers and forge new ones. Later in the year we will also participate for the first time at the Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo as well as at the 2017 China Fisheries Show.
“Our promise to supply sustainably produced quality seafood from companies that are independently certified under Ireland’s Origin Green programme is unique and we are informing buyers of the huge investment by our industry to meet this commitment. These investments have helped grow demand for Irish seafood with average unit price increasing by 67% in the past six years, during which time our exports have grown by 51% and reached 72 countries.”
McCarthy added that despite the challenge of Brexit, prospects look positive for this year on the back of higher demand and increased quota allocation. In the long term global consumption of seafood is also projected to grow by 42 million tonnes per annum as the world population is set to reach 8 billion by 2025.
McCarthy also congratulated Iasc Atlantic Seafood on being nominated for a Seafood Excellence Award at SEG following the success of its Duo Seafood Umami Sauce and Dressing. The Bord Bia Thinking House had previously worked with “Iasc” in developing their award winning Seafood Umami Pearls and Mc Carthy encouraged other companies to avail of the expertise available in the Thinking House to develop innovative products and concepts. James Grimes and Colin Ross, co-directors of Iasc Atlantic Seafood Company said these two nominated products are game changers in many ways, for the home cook and the professional caterer or food manufacturer.
Also under discussion at the expo are Brexit, of which McCarthy pointed out Irish growth in other European as well as Asian markets, and Bord Bia’s Origin Green programme. “In a competitive export market it is essential to listen and respond to the demands of customer” said McCarthy. “[Origin Green is] the only one of its kind in the world and it now sets us apart from our competitors. To its credit our seafood industry is one of the most progressive sectors in terms of Origin Green participation with 49 verified members and another 29 in the pipeline.”
Participating Companies at SEG include Atlanfish, Connemara Seafoods, Emerald Mussels, Errigal Bay, Gallagher Bros, Irish Fish Canners, Irish Seafood Producers Group (ISPG), Keohane Seafoods, Killybegs Seafoods, Kush Shellfish, Live Irish Shellfish, Norfish, O'Cathain Iasc, Premier Fish, Rockabill Shellfish, Sean Ward Fish Exports, Shellfish Ireland, Sofrimar, The Irish Organic Salmon Co, Wild Atlantic Shellfish.
Bord Bia’s participation at the SEG trade fair was supported by EU funding from the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund.
© 2017 - Checkout Magazine by Donncha Mac Cóil
