Irish producers at organic trade fair
BIM market development manager Helen Brophy said it was a valuable opportunity to showcase leaders in the Irish seafood and aquaculture sector.
The event brings together more than 2,000 international exhibitors and some 33,000 trade visitors from around 100 countries every year.
It was the second year Ireland had been represented at the fair. Irish firms there this year were Aran Salmon Ltd (Aran Islands), Eagle Isle Seafoods Ltd (Mayo) and Irish Seaspray Ltd (Galway) in the salmon sector. Seaweed products companies Arramara Teoranta (Galway), Brandon Products Ltd (Kerry), Marigot Ltd (Cork), and Oilean Glas Teoranta (Donegal) were the other participants.
Tom McLaughlin, German market manager with BIM, said that trade visitors are very interested in organic produce coming from the environmentally- friendly and ideally situated west coast of Ireland.
“This show is tremendously important due to the growth of organic agriculture and markets worldwide,” he said.
“British consultant Organic Monitor estimates the current worldwide organic market to be worth $30bn and growing at up to 9% per year.
“This is a highly significant market and one in which the Irish seafood and aquaculture sectors are well placed to make a real impact.”
He added that with increasing price competitiveness in the salmon market, the organic route is an economically viable niche in which to concentrate the relatively small Irish salmon product.
To compliment the presence of Irish organic producing companies, the Irish seaweed industry exhibited produce for human nutrition and speciality horticulture for the first time.
The products showcased included calcium supplements, antacids and specialist fertilisers targeted at fruit and vegetable growers.
