Rooney Fish Invests in Innovation for Export

Rooney Fish, the Northern Irish seafood business, is aiming to expand sales in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, including Japan and Hong Kong, by investing in new products. The company, as part of its business growth strategy, is exhibiting at the SEAFEX show in the World Trade Centre, Dubai from 19-21 November.

The family owned and managed company, which currently exports its entire output of shellfish, has strengthened its new product development team to enable it to optimise opportunities developing for its fresh and processed products.

The company, which employs 40 people at its modern processing plant near Kilkeel harbour in County Down, pioneered the development of a cooking process for langoustines which have won export significant business particularly in France with major retailers such as Carrefour, Auchan and Leclerc as well as wholesalers in Spain supplying retail and foodservice leaders.

Andrew Rooney, commercial director of Rooney Fish, commenting on the company's expansion plans, says: "We are focusing on innovative ways to add further value to our existing and very comprehensive range of shellfish.

"This involves working closely with existing and potential customers abroad to help identify new product opportunities and participating in a range of trade exhibitions and targeted missions to Boston and Hong Kong. I saw exciting opportunities for us in both centres. However, it will take time to develop these.

"We've also found regular participation in major exhibitions such as European Seafood in Brussels, Gulfood in Dubai and the recently launched Seafood Barcelona to be immensely beneficial in terms of business secured and new contacts made.

Rooney Fish has developed into one of Northern Ireland's most successful and enterprising exporters through a dedication to innovation in both products and processing techniques.

Rooney Fish was established in 1974 and has diversified into shellfish in response to EU quotas on cod and other fish. It specialises in shellfish from the Irish Sea including King Scallops, prawns, periwinkles, mussels, crab, shrimp and lobster for export. It operates from a modern fully EC approved facility with the latest processing technology.