Seafood promoted in style at Brussels

Irish seafood will be promoted in style when the premier exhibition for the industry worldwide opens in Brussels today.

It will be part of BIM’s market strategy to capitalise on the Irish sector’s success in maintained a substantial market share in 2002, on top of a 30% growth recorded during the previous two years.

BIM said this indigenous industry out-performed other sectors of the food industry, bringing lasting employment and economic stability to remote coastal areas.

Up to 29 of Ireland’s leading seafood export companies will participate in the BIM pavilion at the annual European Seafood Exhibition (ESE), which continues until Thursday.

A further estimated 80 companies will attend the show, making it the largest trade event for the Irish seafood sector this year.

ESE is the premier trade event for targeting the European market, which accounted for 80% of Irish seafood exports totalling 436 million in 2002.

France continues to be the main European market for Irish seafood with sales close to 100 million, which represents a 9% increase on 2001.

The main European markets include Britain at €66 million, Spain (€50m), Germany (€41m), Italy (€27m) and the Netherlands (€19m).

BIM chief executive Pat Keogh said Brussels has become the world’s premier seafood show, providing an opportunity to showcase progressive Irish seafood companies and their products.