A Highland seafood export company says is on course for another big jump in turnover this year, with sales expected to reach £2.2million.
Black Isle-based FAO27 – named after the North Sea fishing grid reference – has forecast it will achieve the figure in the year to October, having notched up sales of £1.9million in the previous 12 months.
Its 2012/13 turnover total was more than double the £860,000 it made the year before.
FAO27 is the trading name for Intersea Food Scotland, which was set up in 2009 – initially as a consultancy – by managing director Anne Moseley.
The Avoch firm operates as the sales export vehicle for small-scale, local seafood processors and fishing boats.
It sells whitefish, shellfish and farmed salmon from the north to retailers and wholesalers across Europe, as well as to large fishmongers and independent stores.
All of the company’s produce is exported, with key markets including France, Italy, Belgium, Portugal and Luxembourg.
The business currently employs five people, including three based in France.
Ms Moseley said: “The goals and aspirations of the fishermen and processors who are our local partners are at the heart of everything we do.
“It can be a real challenge for a typical small family fishing boat or a local processor to reach the most profitable markets and get the best possible prices for their produce.
“We work very closely with them to understand the requirements of the European export markets.
“That way, we can provide the best quality fish and shellfish exactly when and where it’s required – and most importantly get the best prices.”
Ms Moseley said FAO27 had worked hard to mitigate the impact of the recent global economic downturn by developing markets further down the supply chain which delivered better margins and returns.
The firm has also put measures in place to make trading in Europe easier, for example by opening a euro bank account in France and forward buying currencies to limit its exposure to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Any risk to its suppliers has been reduced by export insurance to cover potential bad debts.
Logistics can be a major headache when exporting fresh seafood.
FAO27 works with a service company in Boulogne sur Mer, France, which prepares the orders and provides a base in mainland Europe where products can be checked before they go to market.
It also allows for the consolidation of orders, delivery notes and invoices, seen as key for business development with accounts such as retailers and fishmongers.
The firm won two honours at the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards in May and has been shortlisted for a string of other since.
In September, it will be represented at the Food and Drink Federation Awards in London, where it is up against Britvic and Typhoo in the exporter of the year category.
Ms Moseley is also hoping for success in this year’s Highland and Islands Food and Drink Awards after the firm was nominated for both the export and business growth awards.
She said: “These awards are a great achievement, not just for the FAO27 team but for all our fishermen and processors who produce the consistently outstanding products that are in high demand across Europe.”