The Irish food promotion board said the country’s seafood exports to China rose by 171 percent in the first half of 2021 compared to H1 2020.
Irish seafood exports in the first six month of 2021 totaled 7,000 metric tons worth nearly EUR 13 million (USD 15.3 million), Bord Bia told SeafoodSource.
The strong figures have come despite exporters facing mounting difficulties accessing the Chinese market. But Ireland’s exporters have apparently fared well with China, led by pelagic exports, which are up 293 percent in value, according to Conor O’Sullivan, manager for China at Bord Bia. Shellfish exports have increased 56 percent "but there’s still a way to go on that side," O’Sullivan told SeafoodSource.
“Frozen seafood isn’t too difficult, but getting live seafood into China isn’t always easy, depending on the degree of China’s COVID controls at the time,” O’Sullivan said. “In August, when China had a COVID scare, the major airports limited imports and increased inspection rates. That’s extra cost and could also result in higher mortality rates. Some importers might adjust their purchase plans at these times.”
With China still applying strict quarantine requirements for inbound travelers, Bord Bia’s China offices recently organized a seminar and tasting in Dalian for buyers.
“The seminar in Dalian was part of our outreach to foodservice distributors in that region,” O’Sullivan said. “Foodservice is a critical channel for our high-end seafood. At that particular event, we had two main aims. One was to introduce Ireland, our key species and their strengths. But we also invited some guest media and trade speakers to share their views on the challenges facing seafood sector in China and how to overcome them.”
O’Sullivan saidthe Dalian seminar also included a focus on marketing strategy.
“In our experience, it is helpful to enhance our trade events with some local knowledge-sharing as well. It helps us better understand the local market conditions and how our industry can better serve them,” he said.
Bord Bia will continue to participate in trade shows, despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, O’Sullivan said.
“World Seafood Shanghai was delayed due to COVID controls in August, but we still expect it to go ahead this year. We’ll be at the Qingdao fisheries expo again. The show won’t be at the scale of years pre-COVID due to travel restrictions, but nonetheless we’ll be joined by some of the Irish companies who have representatives in China. We also attended several regional shows this year, including Guangzhou next week, to help further our industry’s reach,” he said. “I think during COVID it’s important for Bord Bia to continue to be at these shows, showcasing our seafood and acting as a point for local importers to connect with Ireland. Later this year, Bord Bia is also running a virtual matchmaking event for Irish and Asian seafood companies to meet. This should also help bridge the gap while our companies still can’t travel out.”
Photo courtesy of Neil Tackaberry/Shutterstock
