Landings at Kilmore Quay in 2017 valued at €11 million

THE value of landings at Kilmore Quay port amounted to €11 million in 2017 and totalled a weight of 4,300 tonnes, according to the newly-published annual Business of Seafood report by Bord Iascaigh Mhara.

The industry is a significant employer in the South East with close to 1,968 people directly and indirectly employed along the South Eastern seaboard.

The aquaculture sector, which comprises chiefly of mussel and oyster farming in the region, was worth a total of €21 million in the South East last year and enjoyed 24 per cent growth nationally.

Seafood processing also experienced significant growth last year and there are now almost 4,000 people employed in seafood processing companies across Ireland.

Thirty of these companies are located in the South East.

The Business of Seafood 2017 report was published by BIM, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency and was launched by Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Michael Creed.

Ireland’s seafood sector recorded its third consecutive year of growth in 2017, with its value up 6.4 per cent on the previous year, to contribute €1.15 billion to Ireland’s GDP. This strong growth was driven by a 12 per cent increase in net exports (€331m), a 4 per cent increase in domestic consumption (€429m) and significant ongoing investment both private and public (€386m).

In terms of trade, the EU remains Ireland’s main export market valued at €392 million (up 9 per cent). On the domestic market, Irish appetites for seafood continued to grow with a 4 per cent increase in seafood consumed in Ireland, now valued at €429 million.

Domestic consumption comprises of sales in supermarkets and shops as well as in restaurants, cafes and canteens. Salmon, cod and prawns continue to be in favour with Irish consumers with salmon valued at €96 million and cod at €48 million.