Abalone shellfish farm eyes Japanese export market

IRELAND’S first abalone shellfish farm, which was officially opened in Beara, Co Cork, yesterday hopes to export most of its output to Japan when fully operational in the next three to five years.

Abalone is not widely known in Ireland as it is not a native species. There is currently no domestic market for the shellfish.

However, it is considered a delicacy in the Far East and has a high value as a result.