The Irish Ministry for Agriculture, Food and the Marine announced a new award of EUR 2.4 million (USD 3.1 million) in grants to 25 seafood processing companies.
The grants are part of the country’s 2013 Seafood Processing Business Investment Scheme. Public and private sector investment in the program totals EUR 8 million (USD 10.5 million)in 2013 so far, according to Simon Coveney, the agriculture, food and the marine minister.
In his announcement of the grants, Coveney noted that the Irish seafood industry has targeted the Chinese, Russian and African markets for future growth, and exports have gone up 20 percent over 2012.
“The Irish Seafood sector is currently in expansionary mode, it is a growth industry,” Coveney said. “I believe that through the type of investment supports and strategic plan announced today, the Government can assist Irish seafood processing companies to scale up, diversify further and innovate as they develop new markets, enhancing profitability and job creation prospects into the future.”
Eligible companies may use the grants for the purchase of new machinery and equipment, or upgrades on existing equipment.
