UK seafood gets international promotion boost
We are co-hosting the first ever UK seafood pavilion at the Seafood Expo Global in Barcelona which runs from 26 to 28 April.
Seafood Expo Global is the largest trade event for global seafood buyers and sellers. The new UK pavilion offers companies the exhibition space to showcase products, do business, and build global connections.
We have partnered with Defra’s GREAT Food and Drink campaign and the Government’s Seafood Trade team, as well as the Department for International Trade (DIT) to fund and subsidise some of the associated space, design, and build costs of the pavilion. Five UK seafood companies will share the UK seafood pavilion stand.
It is great to see some of our fantastic seafood companies at Seafood Expo Global. There are huge opportunities for our industry across the globe and we will do all that we can to support businesses in exploring new markets.
In addition to the booths for seafood companies, the pavilion will have a lounge and reception area for any businesses attending the Expo to visit and use for meetings. We will also host events, alongside DIT, including opportunities to meet with key international buyers and ‘Meet the DIT Trade Specialists’. Regular seafood demonstrations will also take place at the on-stand demo kitchen.
We are happy that we can help our seafood industry to promote its fantastic products to global seafood buyers again. The last couple of years have been tough for some businesses and we appreciate the support from Defra and DIT to make the UK seafood presence at this Expo bigger than ever.
"The Seafood Expo Global has always been a great sales opportunity for businesses. As the first ever UK seafood pavilion, we expect to get more attention from the buyers.
"Our pavilion includes businesses who have exhibited with Seafish before and some who are new to the Expo. We’d love to invite anyone else from the UK who is attending the Expo to come along and enjoy the space too.
The UK Seafood Pavilion will be at Stand 2I601.
Seafood marketing toolkit
Seafish, Defra and DIT have also worked together on a new UK seafood marketing toolkit for DIT’s 100+ staff in markets globally who are dedicated to helping British businesses. It will equip those supporting the agriculture, food and drink sector with the information they need to promote UK seafood in international markets.
The toolkit highlights the provenance, quality and high standards of the UK seafood industry and will be used in key markets including the EU, US, UAE, Japan and China.
These materials bring seafood from the UK into the GREAT Britain and Northern Ireland campaign assets. This crucial content will support the Government’s network of global trade specialists to promote UK seafood to overseas trade audiences.
Key elements of the toolkit, including a promotional video and sales flyers, will be on show at the Seafood Expo Global.
International trade support for seafood businesses
The events and marketing toolkit forms part of a growing work area from us aimed at helping UK businesses to trade in the UK and internationally. This includes:
- Country-specific market export guides and access to presentations and webinars hosted with the DIT
- A Trade and Tariff tool giving businesses easy access to UK seafood trade and tariff data.
- Market supply and international trade factsheets
- Export advice and support services available for businesses across the UK.
We are also working with the UK government to ensure the needs of the seafood supply chain are understood as new free trade agreements are negotiated.
The Department for International Trade (DIT) also offer a wide range of trade support for exporters and businesses delivering seafood internationally. Free services include:
- New export training offer – a free and comprehensive training offer for UK businesses new to exporting featuring masterclasses, events, mentoring and roundtables through the UK Export Academy.
- Export Support Service – A single point of contact for UK businesses selling goods to Europe. The support team can be contacted online or on 0300 303 8955.
- Tailored Export Advice –Tailored export support from local trade offices in the UK. Businesses may be eligible for specific international market support through teams around the world.
- Report a barrier – Businesses can contact DIT directly with information on any trade barrier is affecting exports from the UK.
For further information visit www.great.gov.uk