Seafood exports fall 10.2%

Seafood exports fell by 10.2% to €384m last year, according to the BIM's annual report, with Irish companies facing more competitive and challenging international markets.

However, the Irish Sea Fisheries Board added that the value of seafood sales on the domestic market increased by 3.3% to €281m.

The EU markets, which was hit by the weak dollar, accounted for more than 75% of total Irish exports but faced tough competition from third country imports of farmed salmon, herring and whitefish.

Shellfish exports outperformed other sectors and grew by 9.5% to reach €132m last year.

Within the EU, France remains the most important market for Irish seafood, with sales valued at €91m.

Spain is Ireland's second biggest market with sales of €58m and is followed by the UK where sales amounted to €54m.

Outside of the EU, Japan and South Korea were the main markets for exports of Irish seafood.