Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM), the Irish Sea Fisheries Board, has organized its first specifically tailored networking event in order to feature more prominently on UK restaurant menus. The event was hosted by Mr Brendan Nevin, Counsellor (Agriculture, Fisheries and Food). The event has been designed to provide Irish producers with the opportunity to specifically target key UK foodservice companies in order to build on existing business relationships, meet new contacts and ultimately to secure additional business that will boost Ireland’s export market in the UK.
It is fact that the UK market is the second largest export market for Irish seafood after France and was valued at €82 million in 2007, with the majority of these exports finding their way to the consumer through UK foodservice channels. Ian Mannix, BIM’s UK Market Advisor told that there are many opportunities for Irish seafood exports. He added that the UK foodservice buyers are keen to ensure the best quality produce is sourced for their customers.
Mannix also said that in today’s competitive marketplace, superior quality must underpin any marketing effort from Irish companies. Ivan Maher, Sales & Marketing Manager of Shellfish de la Mer explains how networking events such as these are particularly useful for Irish companies. He further said that networking events such as these organised by BIM allow us to meet with our existing customers as well as building relationships with new ones.
