IRISH seafood exports to the main European markets in the first 10 months of 1996 were up 22 per cent on the previous year and were worth £133 million.

Ireland has assembled a large presence for the European Seafood Exhibition in Brussels this week. The fair will be attended by key buyers from France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland and Belgium. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) and 18 Irish exporters are taking part in the exhibition.

The most important markets for Irish seafood are: France, 32 per cent; Spain, 20 per cent; Britain, 18 per cent; and Germany, 15 per cent.