France seen as valuable seafood market for UK

France now presents excellent opportunities for seafood exporters, especially for the UK which holds advantages for the trade.

The competitive effect of a weak pound and a continuing French demand for fish meant that new markets were there for the taking, said a Grimsby seminar organised by Seafish.

The French fish market is worth over EUR6,300 million a year.

John Gleave from the UK Trade and Investment Office in Lille, outlined the perceived UK strengths of quality and good transport links and the perceived weaknesses in packing and poor service. Gleave said France was becoming more eco-ware, with a rising number of companies demanding sustainable MSC-approved products.

Consumer habits also led to a rise in snacking and demand for ready-made fish based convenience meals.

Gleave urged exporters to emphasise regional branding and to ensure they build up a relationship with French customers. He added that match funding was available for export marketing initiatives and other export schemes.

Patrick Maquinghen from France-based Gelfish seafood import company, said France was increasingly hungry for fish, adding that French buyers now preferred northern European supplies to those from China.

However, UK companies should be aware they were facing strong competition from Iceland which was discounting heavily.

Maquinghen also stressed the need to be fully up-to-date on all EU and French regulations, because failures over simple issues like labelling could prove costly.