France remains the Republic's largest seafood export market valued at £60 million or 33 per cent of all seafood exports to Europe, according to the latest figures from Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

Figures for the period to June 2000 show that despite a decrease in exports to France by 27 per cent, the value per unit has increased by 36 per cent. Europe accounts for 73 per cent of total Irish seafood exports. Latest figures from the board value exports to Europe at £182 million, accounting for 73 per cent of the State's seafood exports.