Scottish seafood sector aims to top sales of £30 million at world's largest seafood show

The Scottish seafood sector is set to target new export business as companies attend en masse the world’s largest seafood show in Brussels next week. The European Seafood Exposition (ESE) takes place from 24th – 26th April 2012 and is an important highlight on the global seafood calendar.

Sales in excess of £30 million were anticipated from attendance at the trade show in 2011 (up from £14.4 million in 2010). ^{(Note 1}) The sector is confident of matching this achievement in 2012, as seafood continues to perform well despite the global recession.

This was highlighted recently when Scottish export figures for 2011 showed that fish and shellfish were the highest value food sector export, up four per cent to £648.4m. They also showed that overall food exports increased nine per cent year-on-year to a record £1.16bn, with fish and shellfish accounting for 56 per cent.

ESE is forecast to attract over 24,000 visitors from 80 countries, many of whom will pass through a Scottish Pavilion, which promotes the vision of Scotland as a ‘Land of Food and Drink’.

Seventeen companies selling salmon, whitefish, shellfish, herring and mackerel, will exhibit on the 705 square metre Scottish Pavilion, which is organised by Scottish Development International (SDI). A host of other Scottish-based companies will exhibit at the show independently.

A team of Scottish chefs is gearing up to serve more than 20,000 samples of Scottish produce to visitors at a seafood bar on the pavilion, hosted by Seafood Scotland. International buyers have been invited to attend a Scottish ministerial reception there on the first day of the show.

Iain MacSween, Chair of Seafood Scotland, said: “We will be showcasing the wealth of sustainable seafood available from Scotland, and look forward to welcoming visitors from around the globe to sample our produce. Scotland lands two thirds of the UK seafood catch each year and in 2010 this amounted to 367,000 tonnes worth £435 million.

“A number of Scottish fisheries including herring, haddock, langoustine, crab, lobster and mussels have achieved MSC certification, and our whitefish fleet is an acknowledged leader in Europe in innovative measures to promote sustainable fishing. These are all achievements to celebrate but do not make us complacent, and we will continue our efforts to improve the industry and to create new and innovative products to drive sales in new and emerging markets.”

Scott Landsburgh, Chief Executive of Scottish Salmon Producers' Organisation and Scottish Quality Salmon, said: “Exports of Scottish salmon have reached record levels two years in a row, achieving annual sales in excess of £400 million.

“ESE is internationally recognised as the world’s largest seafood show with buyers from across the globe expected to attend. As the popularity of higher value, sustainable salmon continues to soar, we expect this to be another good year for Scotland’s largest food export.”

James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “Despite the tough economic environment, Scotland's food and drink industry is growing at a phenomenal rate. The industry in Scotland has come together to focus on growing markets for premium, healthy and sustainable products of strong provenance. Nothing captures that ambition better than Scotland’s seafood sector.

"Our seafood industry is the driving force behind Scotland's food exports, which have risen 62% in the last four years. From salmon and shellfish, to whitefish and mackerel, Scottish seafood businesses are playing a leading part in building the nation's reputation as a land of food and drink. ESE is a fantastic platform to showcase a growing success story for Scotland."

Ann MacColl, Chief Executive of Scottish Development International said: “As the world’s largest seafood fair, the European Seafood Expo offers Scottish companies the chance to exhibit their products to around 25,000 top buyers and sellers from across the globe, network with key industry players, and introduce their businesses to a new overseas customer base.

“This event is just one element of a wider programme of activity led by SDI to help Scottish seafood companies broaden their horizons and take advantage of the changing patterns of international trade. By working collaboratively with Scotland Food and Drink and our partners including Seafood Scotland and the Scottish Salmon Producers Organisation, we believe we can further boost international seafood exports and in doing so, deliver long-term sustainable growth for Scotland’s economy.”