Seafood Scotland will receive £0.9 million from the European and Maritime Fisheries Fund and will be exhibiting in Brussels, Boston, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Singapore and Cologne.

Seafood Scotland, ‘From Net to Plate’:

“is a non-political organisation that works throughout the supply chain with fishermen, fish/shellfish farmers, processors, retailers, food service companies, caterers, NGOs and consumers.”

The funding enables them to exhibit at several international trade shows including Seafood Expo Global, the world’s largest seafood show, in Brussels on 25-27 April. A total of 46 Scottish companies are exhibiting in Brussels. This is an increase of 40% on last year’s attendance. Buyers from all over the world attend the event in Brussels.

Minister for UK Negotiations for Scotland’s Place in Europe for the Scottish Government, Michael Russell said:

“Raising the awareness and enhancing the global profile of the Scottish seafood industry will assist the sector as a whole, while helping individual businesses to expand into new markets and increase consumer awareness of their fine products.”

“Our fishing industry is a vital part of the rural economy, with our fishing fleet generating £437 million last year and fish and seafood recording an increased exports.”

Head of Seafood Scotland, Patrick Hughes said:

“We are delighted with the EMFF award. This will ensure that Seafood Scotland, along with the Scotland Food & Drink export partners, can continue to promote and assist business seeking to establish new global markets. This is especially important over the coming months as Seafood from Scotland tries to cement its place as a true global competitor.”

Attending the Seafood Expo Global Show are:

Associated Seafood, Caley Fisheries Ltd, Campbells & Co Smokehouse Ltd, Cooke Aquaculture, Dawnfresh Seafoods, Highland Smoked Salmon, International Fish Canners, JK Thomson, Loch Duart, Loch Fyne Oysters, Lunar Freezing and Cold Storage Company Limited, Marine Products Scotland, Nor-Sea Foods, Scotprime Seafoods Ltd, Scottish Quality Salmon, Scottish Seafarms, Scottish Seas, St James Smokehouse (Scotland) Limited, The Crab Company (Scotland) Ltd, The Scottish Salmon Company, Wester Ross Salmon, Whitelink Seafoods.

Natalie Bell, Trade Marketing Manager for EMEA (Europe, Middle East and Asia) at Seafood Scotland said:

“Seafood now accounts for the biggest rise (26% year on year) in food exports from Scotland – and there is no sign that demand is doing anything but increasing.  The seafood industry has worked hard over the last 10 years to attract more business to Scotland by showcasing our sustainable, world-class products – resulting in a thriving international marketplace for our seafood.  With buyers wielding global purchasing power present in Brussels, we’re putting our best foot forward and aiming high on the order front.” 

The latest figures of Scotland’s Food and Drink sector show that the fish and seafood category recorded the largest overall increase of £156 million (up 26%), with Europe the leading export destination.

Reporter: Fiona Grahame