Oyster growers gather in Galway as sector enjoys 60% rise in exports

Oyster exports rising 60% in two years should ensure keen interest in a BIM innovation conference for oyster growers in Galway today.

The sector’s exports have gone from €25m in 2011 to well over €40m 2013, largely fuelled by demand from new markets. The opening business event of Galway’s 2013 International Oyster & Seafood Festival, the event has attracted a strong attendance from Irish oyster growers.

Oysters accounted for more than half of Ireland’s overall shellfish exports of €74m in 2012/13. Irish oyster growers now form one of the largest oyster grower groups in the EU, second only to France.