Seafood exports slide 24% to €354m

MARKETS for Irish seafood were buoyant last year but exports were substantially down, according to Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s (BIM) annual review.

BIM chief executive Pat Keogh said the strong and growing reputation of seafood as natural, healthy and nutritious contributed to increased demand and buoyant markets at home and abroad.

“However, reduced fish landings at Irish ports and static output from the aquaculture sector contributed to a fall-off in processing activity and prevented the Irish industry from fully capitalising on the generally favourable market trends in 2005,” he said.