19 April 2007
Once again, Shetland's seafood industry will have a strong presence at the European Seafood Exposition as they set off for Brussels next week (24 to 26 April).
The exhibition brings together worldwide-based seafood buyers and sellers and is a one-stop-shop for the industry to reach global markets.
This year, Hjaltland Seafarms/Lerwick Fish Traders/Shetland Products and Shetland Aquaculture will share stand 651 in Hall 5. Shetland Aquaculture will have a presence to represent its membership as a whole and will handle leads for all member companies, including those not exhibiting, while Hjaltland Seafarms will promote its new range of value added products, due to be launched in December.
Commenting on his company's attendance, managing director of Hjaltland Seafarms, Michael Stark, said: “We have already established a firm reputation with our customers for the quality of our fish, our first class customer service and timely deliveries. With that in place, it was a natural progression to take our business one step further by introducing a luxury range of smoked and marinated products under our own brand name.
“Our flagship range will be produced from our £3.6 million extension to our processing plant in Lerwick. New state-of-the-art technology will include process controlled smoking kilns for smoking both hot and cold salmon – at source, an automatic salting line for curing and marinating, as well as an automated weight controlling slicing line consisting of several slicers, an automated vacuum packer and labelling machine.
“We welcome visitors to the stand during the show to find out more about the new range that captures the very essence of Shetland.”
Following on from the success of last year when Framgord launched its organic salmon product, this year the company will enjoy meeting new and existing customers at their stand on the Scottish Pavilion in hall 9.
Managing director Frank Johnson said: “Framgord is unique among organic salmon producers as we are able to offer year-round availability. Our organic salmon range is certified by the RSPCA Freedom Foods accreditation and, more recently, by the Friend of the Sea for sustainability. It includes whole salmon, fillets, portions, smoked, chilled and frozen products and we can export to any destination worldwide.
“The European Seafood Exposition proved very successful for us last year and we already have many exciting appointments confirmed for this year. As always, we are very positive about the potential of the Brussels seafood show as a showcase for Shetland produce.”
Shetland Seafish will also have a presence on the Scottish Pavilion and will be highlighting its wide range of seafood and value added specialities during the three day event.
Development manager Alasdair MacPherson commented: “The European Seafood Exposition is an extremely important event for us to attend and an ideal springboard for us to promote our products, particularly our award-winning oak roasted mussels, to an international audience.”
The Shetland Smokehouse will be located on the Scottish Pavilion in Hall 9, Stand 4219, highlighting its selection of smoked salmon products. This year, the company will launch its new fresh pate with a new improved recipe that they are confident will impress.
Managing director Louie Paterson said: “We are looking forward to using the exhibition as an excellent opportunity to build relationships with new and present customers.”
No Catch, the pioneer of sustainable, organic aquaculture, which produces No Catch... Just Cod, is ready to excite Brussels ESE visitors once more and unveil its latest additions to the product range. These include the world's first and only delicious sustainable, organic cod fish finger – No Catch... Just Fish Finger, No Catch... Just Sea Trout and No Catch... Just Salmon. Even more exciting, unique products will follow shortly.
Karol Rzepkowski, managing director of No Catch, said: “The European buyers have already expressed huge interest in our new products and now there's something for everyone with the addition of the fresh sustainable, organic No Catch... Just Fish Finger to the ‘family' of products. The European Seafood Exposition allows us to show off these fantastic products and give visitors the opportunity to actually taste how delicious No Catch fish really is.”
Further information:
For further information, please contact: Ruth Henderson, chief executive, Seafood Shetland, tel 01595 693644 or Louise Rosie, Shaw Marketing and Design, tel 01595 692465 or email louise.rosie@shaw-online.com