FDBusiness.com

Bord Bia (Irish Food Board) and Irish seafood exporters will exhibit for the first time at Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo in Tokyo  determined that its extensive market insight and promotion activity in South East Asia will lead to new business opportunities.

The Bord Bia seafood strategy of expanding into emerging markets and maintaining its strong position in the EU has led to international markets now taking 26% of exports. Japan has been key to this success importing an estimated €12.8 million and 8,600 tonnes of Irish seafood in the year to May 2017, a 43% increase in value and a 27% increase in volume on the previous year.  It is our fourth largest market for pelagic exports in terms of value with growth potential in other species including shrimp, Dublin Bay prawns and crab and clams.

One year on from his appointment as manager for the South and East Asian region Ciaran Gallagher gave a positive overview of the market: “Bord Bia’s decision to exhibit for the first time at Japan Seafood is underpinned by our market and consumer insight and the assurance that Japan and South Korea can deliver high volume and value returns for Irish exporters of sustainably produced seafood.  Our market insight results from Taiwan, Singapore, Vietnam and Malaysia also point to strong potential for growth and Bord Bia’s teams in Singapore and Dublin will build on the relationships forged at this event to attract the most promising buyers to Marketplace next March where they will see for themselves our excellent production systems.

“Japanese retailers are now highlighting to their customers their commitment to certified sustainable production systems, going beyond what is required by state authorities.  This plays to the strengths of our Origin Green exporters and we will drive customer awareness around our unique offering in one-to-one contacts and through our new “sustainable seafood” logo, designed specifically for the Japanese market.”

Market Insight

The Bord Bia / ORRANI market insight study on seafood identified the buyers, processors and distributors best placed to work with Irish exporters in bringing products to market.  The reports covering Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Taiwan, Thailand and Singapore also highlight the export potential for various species but especially for mackerel and salmon.

Origin Green

The eight Irish companies participating at Japan Seafood are all members of Origin Green and are keenly aware of the production and marketing benefits of sustainable food production that is independently certified.

The largest Japanese retailer AEON added sustainability to its seafood sourcing policy three years ago and aims to increase its sales of ASC and MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) products from the current 3% to 10% by 2020.  Kasumi Co. Ltd, one of the largest retailers in Japan, has introduced ASC and MSC seafood products in response to its high environmentally conscious consumers.

CAPTION:

Pictured at Japan International Seafood and Technology Expo in Tokyo is (l – r) Ciaran Gallagher, Bord Bia Director, South East Asia; Sean Og Ward, Director, Ward Fish; Shintaro Oshima, Managing Director, Fuji Bussan (buyer of Irish seafood).