Seafood exports to US up 170% in the last two years

Exports of Irish seafood to the US have grown by a "staggering" 170 per cent in the last two years, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has reported.

Sales by one company, Bantry Bay Seafoods, are believed to have contributed to 50 per cent of this increase, BIM (the Irish Sea Fisheries Board) said over the weekend.

Bantry Bay Seafood employs 120 people in west Cork and last week won the Irish Export Association's Exporter of the Year award. Representatives from Bantry Bay are part of a trade visit to the US this week. It will be led by the Minister of State for the Marine, Mr John Browne, who will be accompanied by Mr Hugh Byrne, chairman of BIM.

BIM said since Bantry Bay's entry to the US market, Irish seafood sales in the US had undergone unprecedented growth. "Seafood exports to the US have experienced a staggering 170 per cent growth over the past two years with Bantry now supplying seafood product to over 4,000 retail outlets on the east coast of the United States," said Pat Mr Keogh, chief executive of BIM.

"I congratulate everyone in Bantry Bay Seafoods on their achievement. BIM wishes them continuing success in the US and other international markets," he added.

Irish seafood exports to the US market underwent unprecedented growth from just under €1 million in 2000 to €7 million by the end of 2002. Figures for 2003 are expected to record a further growth in exports in the region of €8 million.

Over 50 per cent of the growth can be attributed directly to Bantry Bay Seafoods' entry to the US market. This year alone, the company is on course to generate almost €5 million in shellfish export sales to the US.

Commenting on Bantry Bay's success, Mr Browne said: "Bantry Bay Seafoods' track record in the US has been outstanding. Their exporter's award is well deserved. Market performance in the US by companies like Bantry Bay, Shoreline from Donegal, Galway's Irish Seaspray and the Irish Salmon Producers' Group is very encouraging.".