A KILKEEL-based fishing, processing and distribution co-operative will soon have its seafood sold in restaurants and supermarkets in the United Arab Emirates.
Seasource has confirmed a strategic commercial partnership with an e-commerce focused holding company in Abu Dhabi - the first time fresh fish from Northern Ireland will be made available directly to customers the Middle East.
The joint venture will see Kilkeel-landed fresh fish and seafood in a new online catalogue as well as through numerous local supermarkets and restaurants in the UAE.
Alan McCulla, chief executive of Seasource, says projected sales for the first year will be modest but should exceed £1.5m a year within the next three years.
“The new venture requires high grade logistical capacity and fast turn-around capability,” Mr McCulla said.
“These are requirements which we have perfected in recent years thanks to our growing export business which includes Ireland, GB, France, Spain and Italy. We have worked closely with our new partners to create the Irish Sea Food Company and are delighted to announce this new venture.”
The Irish Sea Food Company will take online orders from customers in the UAE which will be processed and freighted from Kilkeel to guarantee a fresh product delivered within 48 hours.
“We are grateful to Invest NI who facilitated the introduction last year during a UAE trade mission with the company principals Alan O’Donnell and Ian Grannan,” Mr McCulla added.
“The initial meeting led to a visit by both men to Kilkeel where they impressed by both Seasource and the quality of produce. From there we began to work on the idea of expanding their existing eCommerce business through Irish Sea Food Company brand to include fresh fish and seafood.
“Kilkeel-based companies and operations will benefit from this as they already have from earlier expansion announcements this year including the new partnership with international fishing company Hooktone Group.”
The growth of Seasource’s fishing and offshore marine services operations now means that Kilkeel is one of the UK and Ireland’s largest langoustine landing ports as well as a leader in the services sector stretching operations from the Irish Sea to the North Atlantic and the North Sea.
Including fishing fleet crews, offshore marine services, processing and distribution, almost 1,000 people are now employed by the marine economy in Kilkeel.
