The market potential for fish roe products in the Irish seafood industry

Abstract

This research aimed to identify the market potential for Roe products in the Irish seafood industry. The Seafood Sector Development Strategy 2007 -2013 was established with a view to secure a sustainable and profitable Irish seafood sector and new product innovation was identified as one of the key factors for increasing revenue in the future. The area considered in this report was the development of new products based on fish roe. The Irish roe industry is underdeveloped at present. The global demand for roe products is high with a market value of $256 million of exported caviar and fish egg substitutes in 2006 (Parker and Lilly, 2006). The variety of roe products is vast and varies for each market ranging from high quality caviar to caviar substitute products derived from egg white (personal observation). A survey of current seafood producers was conducted to determine Ireland’s past and current activity in this area and also to determine future interest in developing new products. A market analysis of the Japanese, the American and the European Community market was conducted to determine the preferred product and to identify what gaps existed.