Total exports of Iris
h seafood to China in 2012 were valued at almost €10m. The latest trends up to the middle of 2013 show exports 45% higher at €9.5m on the corresponding period in 2012.
“Each company has agreed to take a consignment, which is a great result. It shows what can be done when the public and private sectors work together to a shared target,” Glenmar sales manager Juan Blanes said.
Representatives from China’s seafood industry say the demand for ‘wild Atlantic produce’ is key for Chinese consumers. Much of the domestic Chinese market is farmed fish.
“More and more Chinese people now recognise and like to eat Irish seafood. Because it’s all caught in the wild ocean and because the Irish companies and the Government have promoted the product very well. There’s a very big market for seafood consumption in China and more of that will be Irish in future,” visiting buyer Sashe Alexandra said.
Glenmar Shellfish currently export 300 tonnes of live Shellfish and a further 500 tonnes of frozen fish annually to the Chinese market. It is hoped the company’s exports will surpass the 1,000 tonne milestone this year. It exports €20m worth of Irish seafood per year.
The delegation visited trawlers at Union Hall pier and nearby Union Hall Smoked Fish factory as part of their tour of West Cork. The group are among 46 new Chinese food buyers visiting Ireland this week representing the seafood, dairy and meat sectors. Some 280 international buyers from 25 countries will attend Bord Bia’s inaugural Global Sustainability Conference in Dublin tomorrow.
h seafood to China in 2012 were valued at almost €10m. The latest trends up to the middle of 2013 show exports 45% higher at €9.5m on the corresponding period in 2012. “Each company has agreed to take a consignment, which is a great result. It shows what can be done when the public and private sectors work together to a shared target,” Glenmar sales manager Juan Blanes said.
Representatives from China’s seafood industry say the demand for ‘wild Atlantic produce’ is key for Chinese consumers. Much of the domestic Chinese market is farmed fish.
“More and more Chinese people now recognise and like to eat Irish seafood. Because it’s all caught in the wild ocean and because the Irish companies and the Government have promoted the product very well. There’s a very big market for seafood consumption in China and more of that will be Irish in future,” visiting buyer Sashe Alexandra said.
Glenmar Shellfish currently export 300 tonnes of live Shellfish and a further 500 tonnes of frozen fish annually to the Chinese market. It is hoped the company’s exports will surpass the 1,000 tonne milestone this year. It exports €20m worth of Irish seafood per year.
The delegation visited trawlers at Union Hall pier and nearby Union Hall Smoked Fish factory as part of their tour of West Cork. The group are among 46 new Chinese food buyers visiting Ireland this week representing the seafood, dairy and meat sectors. Some 280 international buyers from 25 countries will attend Bord Bia’s inaugural Global Sustainability Conference in Dublin tomorrow.
