The world’s largest seafood trade event got under way in Brussels yesterday, with a large Scottish presence there to drum up new business and cement existing ties.
The north and north-east are well represented in the Belgian capital, where the three-day Seafood Expo Global event is being attended by more than 25,000 seafood buyers from 145 countries.
A total of 1,600 exhibitors from 75 different nations include 19 in a Scottish pavilion, with other Scots’ firms located elsewhere in the gigantic show halls.
Scottish chef Kevin McGillivray is leading a team of eight top cooks, including Scottish Chef of the Year, David Littlewood, of the Kildrummy Inn, near Alford, in a showcase of some of the best of this country’s seafood.
Mr Littlewood said: “I am proud to help showcase such wonderful, sustainable seafood from Scotland at the expo. I really believe that we produce the very best fish and shellfish, and I only use this in my restaurant.”
Aberdeen-based processor Nolan Seafoods (UK) has launched its new Pure Scottish brand at the show. Nolan managing director Derek Hutchins said the new product line was aimed at retailers and restaurants and would use only top quality, fresh Scottish seafood.
“We don’t shout enough about what Scotland has to offer but this brand will help us to make a big statement. We want local people to be able to eat Scottish seafood instead of imported fish and we are launching with a large retailer in the coming months with the aim of achieving this.”
The pavilion is hosted by trade body Seafood Scotland and supported by Scottish Development International, and features five businesses with operations in the Highlands and islands.
Among these is Hebridean Smokehouse of North Uist, a specialist smoker of fish and shellfish selling into UK and global markets. Hebridean general manager Christopher West said: “We are seeking appointments with distributors in France, Germany and the Netherlands, but these events will often throw up potential business from anywhere in the world.
“The show is without doubt the best shop window available to us when looking for new business in Europe.”
Seafood Scotland has sponsored a trip to the expo for 12 young fishermen who are getting the chance to learn about different countries’ seafood industries.