Seafood processors survey to reveal industry truths

A survey funded by industry body Seafish is set to reveal industry trends and hardships as processors struggle to survive in a challenging environment.

The first part of the survey will involve asking 1,800 firms - including processors, importers and distributors - basic questions. The second part will focus solely on processors and will ask them financial and business performance questions.

“I think the survey will show that raw material costs make up much more of the sales price than they used to, which leaves processors with less of a margin. Also, rising energy costs will be eating into margins,” said Seafish industry analyst Andrew Brown. “I also think the sustainability issue will kick in with regard to where processors are sourcing their products from. And the push from retailers wanting to see environmental policies will be a big issue.”

Nevertheless, Brown was confident the survey would reveal that forward planning would help firms pull through these difficult times. “There has been a lot of consolidation in the industry. It’s a possibility that those who have acted will be surviving comfortably,” he said.

The survey will take place over the summer and the report will be written by November. The results of the survey will be fed to the EU and will also be used by Seafish to monitor trends. “This survey should help with our benchmarking service and also enable us to see which areas to dedicate funding to,” said Brown.

For more information contact: Adam Brown on 0131 524 8663