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Business of Seafood

€1.2bn

GDP of Irish Seafood

15,673

Working in Seafood

1,988

Registered Fishing Vessels

282

No. of Aquaculture sites

103

No. of Seafood processors

€416m

Government Investment

Business of Seafood, 2023

The Irish Seafood Economy

The Irish seafood economy faced a challenging year in 2023, with a 2.9% decline in GDP from 2022 to a total value of €1.2 billion, according to data in the Business of Seafood report by Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) published today 18/09/2024. Brexit posed a significant challenge to the industry, reducing access to fish and disrupting trade flows and market access. However, in response, there was an unprecedented level of government investment in the industry, demonstrating a strong commitment to the future growth and sustainability of the sector. This investment, combined with Brexit Adjustment Reserve (BAR) funding, helped the sector achieve significant growth of 12%, bringing the total value to over €1.4 billion, despite the initial decline of 2.9% in GDP from 2022, which valued the sector at €1.2 billion.

Quota reductions resulting from Brexit, reduction in foreign landings, and biological issues in salmon and shellfish production, resulted in pressures in 2023. The sector also faced challenges from the cost-of-living crisis and high inflation, further affecting the economic environment. Access to raw materials, particularly for pelagic processing, remained a critical issue resulting in a 10% decrease in exports of key Irish seafood products, with the most pronounced reductions in blue whiting, crab, and Irish organic salmon.

Despite these challenges and the difficulties posed by rising costs and regulatory changes, there were significant increases in public and private investment. Increased Government spending in 2023 as part of the BAR was at a record level, increasing public spending by 63% to €416 million, leading to significant increases in private investment by 33%.

Consumption of seafood in 2023 increased by 9% to €515 million. The sale value of salmon grew by 9% to €130 million, and the seafood foodservice sector grew by 13% in 2023 to €189 million, just 3% off its peak in 2019. Foodservice operator purchases of seafood increased by 14%.

The report highlights how almost 15,673 adults work, directly and indirectly, in Ireland’s seafood industry. Nationally, the seafood sector accounts for 6 in every 100 jobs in coastal communities around Ireland, increasing to a rate of 14% in coastal communities of Co. Donegal.

The report reveals the difficult conditions faced by Ireland’s pelagic sector, with export volumes for key species such as blue whiting falling by 65% to a value of €14 million. While there was strong growth in fish meal and oils, lower quotas for horse mackerel and smaller blue whiting sizes heavily impacted the export value, significantly impacting the pelagic sector.

The volume of Irish organic salmon produced in 2023 declined by almost one third to 9,400 tonnes, with production impacted by high mortality rates across farms in Ireland. However, strong international demand resulted in the export value declining by just 3% due to an increase in the average price.

A significant number of schemes recommended by the Seafood Taskforce were introduced by Minister McConalogue to support different sectors within the industry in 2023, ranging from liquidity schemes to capital support and funding for community-led development.

Top Ten Export Markets

The volume of exports declined by 21% in 2023 to 230,000 tonnes, a decline of over 60,000 tonnes. Strong declines in volumes were seen in the pelagic, shellfish and freshwater categories. Value decreased in these categories despite continued strong growth in prices of 14% for pelagics and freshwater species. The total value of exports declined by 10%.

 

The top ten export markets in 2023:

 

For a full overview of 2022 you can download The Business of Seafood 2023 here