Irish seafood promotion nets Euro consumers
European markets account for 76 percent of Irish seafood exports, which totalled €436 million in 2002.
France is Ireland's largest export market for seafood, valued at a record €100 million last year.
The promotion by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), in association with Irish seafood exporters, kicked off in Paris.
It also ran in Germany, Spain, Italy, Luxembourg and Greece. Some of the largest retail groups in Europe participated.
During the week, European shoppers sampled Irish seafood at in-store displays, buying a wide range of products at special prices.
The promotion, tied in to a St Patrick's Day theme, ensured high visibility for Irish seafood in European shopping aisles. It also created an awareness of Ireland as a source of high-quality seafood.
Shellfish, salmon and whitefish are among the favourite Irish seafoods of European consumers.
There is also growing interest in organic Irish salmon, the first-ever seafood to obtain organic certification in France.
BIM chairman Pat Ridge said Ireland has an excellent reputation across Europe as a supplier of quality seafood.
The promotion was an opportunity to build on and strengthen that reputation, he said.
It was particularly well-timed to reverse the normal trend of pre-Easter sales, in what is traditionally a low season for European seafood.
Mr Ridge said BIM is supporting the most progressive of Irish companies to develop value-added products in order that they can successfully sell and supply to the larger European retail chains.
Companies participating in the promotion included the Irish Seafood Producer Group, Kenmare Salmon, Errigal Fish, Bells Isle Seafood, Glenmar Fish, Clogherhead Fishermen's Co-op, Connemara Seafoods, Dunn's Seafare, Irish Seaspray, Eagle Isle Seafoods and Aran Salmon.
