Ireland’s seafood exports rose 22 percent by volume and 9 percent by value in 2025 to EUR 635 million (USD 739 million), according to the country’s food promotion agency Bord Bia.
Helping Ireland secure that increase was the fact that the value of Irish shellfish exports to China doubled in 2025.
China’s purchases of Irish shellfish totaled around EUR 35 million (USD 40.7 million) last year and comprised nearly one-fifth of Ireland’s total shellfish export value of EUR 200 million (USD 233 million), which itself was up 5 percent year over year.
Bord Bia told SeafoodSource that brown crab, langoustine, whelk, and oysters have “developed a strong reputation in China’s premium segment for [their] quality, freshness, and sustainability credentials.”
“Traditionally, the Chinese market has been important for the export of Irish pelagic fish, but in recent years, significant efforts have been made to develop opportunities for premium shellfish,” the agency said. “Chinese consumers are seeking premium imported seafood, and Ireland’s reputation for safety, traceability, and high-quality produce positions our exporters strongly. The number of Irish seafood exporters supplying the Chinese market is growing year over year.”
According to Bord Bia, China continues to be a priority market for Irish seafood in general, “with increasing demand for premium species across both e-commerce and foodservice sectors.”
“China has rapidly evolving retail and e-commerce sectors, which are central to how premium food is now being sold and consumed. For example, Chinese consumers can order online and have fresh Irish seafood delivered to their doors within 30 minutes,” Bord Bia said, adding that there are increasing online listings of Irish shellfish on major Chinese platforms such as Hema, RT-Mart, and Costco.
Rising demand in China last year helped offset weak demand for Irish shellfish in traditionally important markets like France.
Ireland’s exports of seafood to the E.U. – Ireland’s top market – fell by 4 percent year over year in 2025 to EUR 345 million (USD 402 million), while sales to Asia grew by 24 percent to EUR 90 million (USD 105 million).
Despite the growth the sector enjoyed in 2025, Bord Bia has warned that Irish seafood faces increased challenges in 2026, such as significantly reduced quotas for some species including mackerel and whiting.
