West Cork firms at major seafood trade show in China

Minister of State with responsibility for Fisheries Timmy Dooley has joined Bord Bia in Qingdao, China this week to attend Asia’s largest seafood expo where two Cork companies are represented.

Minister Dooley is leading an agri-food trade mission to China in a bid to strengthen commercial and government-to-government relationships across Ireland’s main export sectors, including seafood, meat and dairy.

As part of the trade mission, Bord Bia is hosting two West Cork-based seafood companies — Castletownbere Fishermen’s Co-op Society and Union Hall-based Glenmar Shellfish — along with seven other Irish seafood companies at the China Fisheries and Seafood Expo 2025, which runs from October 29th–31st at the Hongdao International Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The Expo, recognised as Asia’s premier seafood trade event, is expected to attract around 50,000 professional visitors from over 130 countries.

Mr Dooley said he was 10,000km from home but proud to be flying the flag with companies from Killybegs to Castletownbere.