an editorial supplement to The Grocer Now the boat's come in... Seafood has really come out of its shell judging by the way Ireland is serving it up in the UK. Nicky Holmyard reports In the past decade Ireland and Northern Ireland have established themselves as major players in the seafood business, with exports of fisheries and aquaculture products increasing year on year. In 2000, these exports were valued at £250m from Ireland and £55m from the province. Industry body Northern Ireland Seafood says the main market outlet for the north is the UK, followed by France, Spain and Germany, with small amounts reaching the US, Far East and Eastern Europe. Frozen scampi producers selling to the retail and foodservice sectors account for the biggest share of exports to the UK. Young's Bluecrest factory in Kilkeel is one of the largest scampi units, producing a wide range of whole tail and reformed scampi products. According to Norrie McLean, this unit is crucial to the company's business, as it processes high quality supplies landed in the north and south. Chairman of NI Seafood, Raymond Mairs, says companies in the province have been forced to refocus in the past to face the challenges from falling supplies of raw material and changes in the market place. "They have faced these admirably and bucked the general UK trend by more than doubling overall sales in just five years to a total of £98m in 2000," he says. Fresh initiatives have been encouraged by a cross-border sectoral development programme that is helping 96 seafood processors in Northern Ireland and the six border counties of the republic. Programme manager Jim Pinder has seen six "cluster" projects activated, while 23 others are planned. Additional sales of £20m are forecast over three years from these project, says Mr Pender. From the Republic of Ireland, products go primarily to France, Spain, and Germany, and 11% to the UK. Paul Hederman of BIM says a recent analysis of the UK market showed excellent areas of opportunity for salmon, trout, mussel and mackerel products. One of the fastest growing aquaculture companies is Bantry Bay Mussels, which signed an exclusive contract to supply Young's Bluecrest with rope grown mussels for a new range of frozen and chilled products aimed at UK multiples. Marketing manager Denis Minihane says that the company achieved sales of £2.2m in the UK in 2000. Carrokeel reports growing demand for its range of fresh and smoked fish and shellfish products, some 80% of which are exported to UK multiples. The Irish Seafood Producers Group is delighted with developing interest from the UK for fresh and smoked salmon products, but it is the organic version that is in keen demand. {{SUPPLEMENTS }}

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