Last updated: 18 November, 2024 @ 12:04
The UK seafood industry is beginning to show signs of recovery following the challenges of Brexit, Covid 19, and global supply chain difficulties.
Speaking at the Responsible Seafood Summit in St Andrews, Scotland, Marcus Coleman, CEO of Seafish – the public body supporting the UK seafood industry – said there were reasons to be positive following an extremely challenging five years.
‘A challenging landscape for seafood trade’
“Seafood trade reached a peak of almost £6.5bn in 2019 and things were looking bright,” said Marcus Coleman.
“Consumer confidence was strong and the economy was in growth, although worries were bubbling up about the effect Brexit might bring about.
“It’s clear that what happened between 2019 and today created a challenging landscape for seafood trade.”
Seafood imports remain steady
Seafish says that indications from the start of 2024 show consumer confidence is beginning to return with recorded export value growth at 7.9% on the previous 12 months.
Although in its press release Seafish made no mention of increased consumption, or awareness, of locally-sourced, sustainable, UK-landed species, the public body said that seafood imports remain steady with salmon and cheaper whitefish alternatives to cod such as haddock, pangasius, hake and tilapia enjoying notable improvements.
‘Reasons to be optimistic’
“There are reasons to be optimistic if we look at initial increases in export and import volumes and value since the start of 2024,” said Marcus Coleman.
“The first half of the year is, at last, showing growth and total trade is moving in the right direction again, although it’ll be a long climb back to pre-2020 levels.
“For the bounce back to be complete there also needs to be increases in the retail and foodservice sectors, although we understand market analysts are suggesting a cautious outlook.”
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