IRISH seafood exports to Eastern Europe increased by £12.7 million to £20.6 million in 1996, Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) has announced

The most important markets contributing to the growth were Lithuania, Latvia and Poland, which provided for a combined increase of £11.7 million during the year. Seafood exports to Eastern Europe now account for 8 per cent of the total value of seafood exports.

The growth in the market is due to the import structure becoming more flexible together with the increased purchasing power of the consumer, according to the board. The major market is herring but there is growing demand for high-value products such as smoked salmon.