The seafood sector remained resilient throughout 2020, despite the ongoing difficulties caused by the coronavirus pandemic, a new economic assessment of the sector has found. The EU remained the top export market at €321 million, with the UK at €93 million and Africa accounting for €75 million. “Undoubtedly 2020 was a challenging year for the seafood sector but yet again the sector displayed its ability to adjust and refocus to the available market opportunities,” said Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue, who launched the report. “The seafood sector maintained a strong and important continuous supply of top quality seafood overcoming the challenges presented by the pandemic.”Exports-imports were valued at €263 million, down 10 per cent, while private investment fell 17 per cent to €213 million. “The Irish seafood sector sells a lot of its produce to foodservice markets in Europe and in Asia which experienced lengthy lockdowns significantly impacting sales.

Source: The Irish Times March 31, 2021 08:50 UTC