Carndonagh seafood firm selected for new ‘customer-focused innovation’ programme
'The only way seafood businesses can help defend their margins and unlock new revenue streams is by putting structured innovation frameworks in place'
Carndonagh’s Atlanfish Ltd was among a number of leading seafood businesses from across Ireland to gather in Dublin to take part in a new programme aimed at accelerating growth in Ireland’s seafood industry through customer-focused innovation.
The new programme is designed to equip businesses with the tools and capabilities to embed innovation at the core of their business models and is being run by Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Ireland’s Seafood Development Agency, with support from the Government and the EU under the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund.
Opening the programme, Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Timmy Dooley TD, gave participating companies from several counties a stark reminder that innovation has moved from being a discretionary investment to a commercial imperative.
He said: “Changing consumer preferences, retail dynamics and sustainability expectations are reshaping market opportunities. In today’s marketplace, innovation is no longer a ‘nice to have’ – it’s essential for survival and differentiation.”
Similar to other industries, Ireland’s seafood industry faces intensifying challenges caused by volatile trading conditions, including rising costs and inflation and reduced supply, leaving limited scope for price-led growth.
Richard Donnelly, Interim CEO at BIM, said that the programme aims to prompt a broader shift in mindset, encouraging companies to place innovation at the centre of their business models.
“The only way seafood businesses can help defend their margins and unlock new revenue streams is by putting structured innovation frameworks in place. Only by doing this can sustained growth take place,” he said.
Atlanfish, Keohane Seafoods, Bantry Bay Premium Seafoods, Oceanpath, The Garvin Seafoods Company, Achill Oysters and Atlantis Seafoods have been selected to take part in this year’s programme.