Irish seafood exports grew by an impressive 60 per cent in the last three years, with an export market value of €517 million in 2012 compared to a €315 million domestic market value. So where are we sending all of our excellent seafood?
Europe has traditionally been our dominant export market for seafood, with some 75 per cent being absorbed by EU countries such as France, UK, Spain, Germany and Italy, in descending importance. France remains the most valuable market for Irish seafood exports, accounting for €115.3 million in 2012.
European markets are willing to pay a premium price for premium seafood. It is not uncommon for seafood wholesalers such as Saltees Seafood Ltd to export two thirds of their catch, including their entire catch of certain species such as megrim and witches (or white sole) – both plentiful Irish fish that Michael O’Flaherty of Saltees Seafood Ltd describes as “great eating” but which enjoy little demand on the domestic market.
The non-EU markets are also of increasing importance. Nigeria is a growing market with a particular demand for pelagic fish such as mackerel, herring and blue whiting. But it is Asia, and China in particular, that represents the greatest growth potential.
One of Ireland’s leading shellfish exporters, Sofrimar, were the first seafood producer to export to the Far East. Sales and marketing manager Yohann Pierard says that the likes of whelks, which have “little chance of selling here” in Ireland, have proven consistently popular in South Korea. But in China last year, the demand for premium seafood increased by a considerable 23 per cent. Sofrimar have teamed up with Irish competitors McBride Fishing, Carr Shellfish and Shellfish De La Mer to form OceanJade Seafood. The consortium now air-freight live brown crab and crustaceans directly to the Chinese market.
Similar “co-opetition” collaborations across the sector are giving Irish companies a foothold in this growing market.