North and north-east seafood firms hope to land new business across the Channel after taking part in a trade show hosted by one of France’s largest supermarket chains.
Products from Sutherlands of Portsoy, Fraserburgh firm Nordic Shellfish and Wester Ross Salmon (WRS) were on show to buyers from La Rochelle-based group Leclerc.
The potentially lucrative trade mission to win a bigger slice of a key market was organised by north seafood export company FAO27.
Smoked and hot smoked salmon from Sutherlands were showcased, along with WRS’s All Natural range.
A new premium range of hand-skinned white-fish fillets from Nordic Shellfish was on show for the first time.
FAO27 managing director Anne Moseley said: “This was a great chance to showcase the best Scottish seafood to some of the most influential buyers in France.
“The range was very well received and we are looking forward to rolling out the products across 36 stores in the region.”
Black Isle-based FAO27 – named after the grid reference for a North Sea fishing area – operates as the sales export department for a number of small-scale seafood processors and fishing boats.
It sells white-fish, shellfish and farmed salmon from across the north and north-east to retailers, wholesalers, large fishmongers and independent stores across Europe.
Meanwhile, salmon produced by Cooke Aquaculture Scotland took price of place in a menu showcasing the best of UK food at a prestigious event in London earlier this week.
Held in the capital’s Good Housekeeping Institute, the breakfast gathering – attended by guests including Food Minister Elizabeth Truss – marked the launch of the Year of British Food.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is organising the year-long programme of events to raise public awareness of Scottish salmon’s protected geographical indication status – guaranteeing its origin – and other products with protected food names.
Scottish Salmon Producers’ Organisation chief executive Scott Landsburgh said: “The salmon industry was delighted to join the best of British food producers at this high-profile launch.”