Department Helps Florida Seafood Companies Gain Millions In Export Sales During European Seafood Exposition
For Information, Contact:
Dot Williamson
(850) 488-0163
June 3, 2008
TALLAHASSEE – The Southern U.S. seafood industry continued to make inroads in the European market by reeling in more than $42 million in actual sales and an additional $14 million in anticipated sales during the European Seafood Exposition held in Brussels in April.
Two Florida seafood companies -- Beaver Street Fisheries and Marky’s Caviar -- partnered with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to participate in the three-day event, which was coordinated by the Southern United States Trade Association (SUSTA). While viewing products displayed by the companies, potential buyers sampled Florida and Southern U.S. seafood items prepared by the department’s executive chef. Other department staff assisted with making trade lead contacts and distributing directories of Florida and Southern U.S. seafood suppliers.
More than 1,600 exhibiting companies from 87 countries were represented at the event, which brought together seafood buyers and sellers from all over the world. An estimated 25,000 decision-making buyers -- representing supermarket buyers, food service companies, seafood processors and import companies -- attended the exposition.
The SUSTA pavilion, which included a display of seafood products from the Southern United States, helped attract show participants to discuss products and collect trade leads. Products exhibited included pink shrimp, croaker, spiny lobster, Atlantic mackerel, clams, American caviar, scallops, catfish and striped bass. All products harvested from Southern U.S. waters are sustainable and managed by the U.S. government and many fishing industries have implemented voluntary programs to ensure that they and generations to come have seafood to harvest for consumption.
The European Union (EU), made up of 27 countries, is one of the largest markets for U.S. seafood exports, accounting for approximately a quarter of total U.S. seafood exports. As a region, per capita consumption averages around 52 pounds and is expected to grow further. Growing demand and declining European fish stocks make the European seafood industry increasingly reliant on imports. This trend in combination with a weak dollar makes the EU a profitable market for the U.S. seafood industry. According to USDA Foreign Agricultural Service trade data, total U.S. seafood exports to EU-27 reached $1.043 billion in 2006, double of the figure just five years ago. Exports from the Southern U.S. to Europe in 2006 were valued at $41.38 million. France and Belgium were the top importers of seafood products from this region.
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