UK seafood businesses invited to meet major international buyers

UK seafood businesses are being invited to explore market opportunities in South Korea and Vietnam at four dedicated ‘meet the buyer’ events. 

Both countries have a rising demand for high quality imported fish and shellfish and, with supportive trade agreements in place with the UK, there is new and exciting trade potential for UK seafood export businesses. 

To showcase these opportunities, the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and Seafish, the public body that supports the UK seafood industry, are partnering to host an inward mission visit by seafood importing companies from Vietnam and South Korea. 

Seafood company representatives from Thailand and Australia will also be present to discuss export potential in their respective markets. 

The delegation will visit four UK locations to learn more about the UK seafood industry and, crucially, to meet directly with exporters to discuss potential business partnerships. 

Andy Gray, Trade Engagement Manager at Seafish, said: “These ‘meet the buyer’ events provide a fantastic opportunity for UK seafood businesses to engage directly with serious buyers from growing overseas markets.  

“Vietnam and South Korea in particular are showing increasing demand for premium imported seafood and this inward mission allows our industry to meet with importers from Asia and build trading relationships without the cost and time commitment that is often incurred by UK companies if having to travel  overseas to prospect for potential new customers.  

“We strongly encourage businesses of all sizes to attend and explore what could be significant new export opportunities.” 

DBT representatives will also attend to provide guidance on export support, alongside the UK Agriculture, Food and Drink Attachés from the British Embassies in Hanoi, Vietnam, Seoul and South Korea. 

The Meet the Buyer events will be held at the following locations: 

• Monday 9 March (10am - 4pm) – Buchan Braes Hotel, Peterhead. 

• Wednesday 11 March (9am - 2pm) – Clayton Hotel Manchester Airport, Manchester. 

• Thursday 12 March (10am - 2pm) – Healing Manor Hotel, Grimsby. 

• Friday 13 March (10am - 2pm) – Billingsgate Fish Market, London. 

To register interest in any of these events, or for more information, contact trade@seafish.co.uk