Wild Atlantic Shellfish, a Sligo-based oyster company today became a fully verified member of the Bord Bia Origin Green sustainability programme. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) extended their congratulations to the company, having worked closely with them on environmental and sustainability aspects over the past number of years through the BIM ECOPACT environmental management scheme. BIM has tailored its ECOPACT scheme to work with seafood producers and assist them in achieving membership of the Origin Green Programme. Working at both farm and manufacturing level, Bord Bia’s Origin Green is a comprehensive national sustainability development programme that clearly sets out Ireland’s ambition to become a world leader in sustainable, high-quality food and drink production.
The Wild Atlantic Oyster brand has undergone a number of changes over the past year, investing in marketing and technical elements to strengthen their position in the existing French market as well as targeting new markets in Asia. Wild Atlantic Shellfish has invested in a new packing plant in Lissadell, Sligo and their prepacked product is being welcomed by customers in the growing Asian market.
BIM have worked with Wild Atlantic Shellfish under its Aquaculture Business Development Programme and have been instrumental in developing an export focused strategy for this group of oyster growers.
Congratulating Wild Atlantic Shellfish, Richard Donnelly, BIM’s Aquaculture Business Development Manager said, ‘We were delighted to assist Wild Atlantic Shellfish to develop their business to ensure this premium product achieved the highest quality standards. With sales of oysters to China and Hong Kong increasing last year with first point of sale values exceeding €2 million from a base of below €500,000 in 2014; Wild Atlantic Shellfish are now best placed to differentiate themselves on this growing market’ e in 2015 with a number of Irish producers specifically targeting these markets. First point of sale values will exceed €2 million for 2015 from a base of below €500,000 in 2014.