Lidl stores in Spain and Portugal 'sea' the opportunity for Irish seafood

Shellfish Ireland, based in Castletownbere, Co. Cork, are celebrating after landing a deal to supply brown crabs to over 800 Lidl stores in Spain and Portugal. The deal, facilitated due to their relationship with Lidl Ireland, is worth over half a million to the fourth generation family run business and will see fish going from West Cork to depots all over Spain and Portugal. In the face of Brexit, and a challenging export market, this is welcome news for Irish food suppliers. 

Ryan Murphy, from Shellfish Ireland adds: 
“This contract signing with Lidl represents a great opportunity for our fourth generation, family run business which is based West Cork in Castletownbere. The opportunity to export wild north east Atlantic crab, or brown crab, to Lidl stores in Spain and Portugal is hugely exciting for us and will allow us to continue to support the local community, where we are one of the largest employers in the area. It is fantastic also to see a large international retailer like Lidl show such confidence in Irish companies.”

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Michael Creed TD, commented; 
“It is heartening to see a small family run company from West Cork receive such recognition for their quality seafood products, from a leading retailer such as Lidl. Irish food and drink has a stellar reputation abroad due to our clear focus on quality and sustainability standards. Deals such like this, which will see products from West Cork on shelves all over Spain and Portugal, are a welcome boost for small rural communities where it will help sustain employment and bolster the local economy.”

In an effort to open up new avenues for Irish suppliers in the seafood area, Fernando Clemente has moved from a buying role in Lidl Spain to be based full time in Lidl’s Dublin HQ and negotiate international contracts directly with Irish suppliers. 

Fernando explains; 
“Irish seafood is renowned all over Europe for its outstanding quality and taste. I was excited to join Lidl Ireland where I have the opportunity to strengthen the close working relationships between our buying teams all over Europe, and offer new avenues for many of the 200 Irish suppliers currently working with Lidl. Last year alone our Irish suppliers exported over €4 million worth of seafood and we are on track to reach €5 million this year due to the new relationship with Shellfish Ireland. As a verified member of Origin Green and as a significant exporter of Irish food and drink we are committed to growing with our suppliers in a sustainable manner and in ways that will benefit both parties.”