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The move would be vital to the survival of the sector in Scotland
Seafood Scotland is urging supermarkets to reopen fresh fish counters
(UNITED KINGDOM, 5/7/2020)
Seafood Scotland has written to the chief executives of the main UK supermarket groups urging them to reopen their fresh fish counters
With international markets closed off, and the UK restaurant and catering sector largely shut down, the entire sector is relying on retail for survival, the trade body said, but most of the fresh fish counters in major multiple retailers have been closed for weeks.
 Only Morrisons has reopened its fresh counters in recent days, in a welcome move to support the meat and fish sectors.
In the letter, sent to the leaders of ASDA, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, Donna Fordyce, head of Seafood Scotland, says: “It is imperative that fish counters are reopened to allow consumers access to fresh, locally caught seafood from the domestic market as part of their essential shop.”
Morrisons, is the fourth largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom and had 498 superstores across England, Wales and Scotland ►
The Scottish seafood sector has been devastated by the impact of the coronavirus.
The Scottish seafood industry landed around 450,000 tonnes of sea fish and shellfish from about 2000 vessels and it goes to 150 processing sites employing more than 13,000 staff.
With an estimated 60 per cent drop in demand, the industry is suffering, and fishing families and the wider communities that rely on the sector are facing real economic hardship.
Pre-coronavirus, 80 per cent of Scottish seafood and shellfish was exported, with the remaining 20 per cent destined for UK food service and retail.
With the export market at a standstill, the sector is now completely reliant on the UK market to keep afloat, and even within this segment the food service sector is operating at minimal levels due to the UK lockdown.
Seafood Scotland said this means UK multiple retailers and some independents are now at the front line of supplying the nation with locally caught seafood.
Some fishing businesses are selling direct to the public, but this trade is contained within small pockets, and amounts to a drop in the ocean.
Author: Ken Symon / insider.co.uk | Read full article here
[email protected]
www.seafood.media
Information of the company:
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Address:
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18 Logie Mill Logie Green Road
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City:
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Edinburgh
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State/ZIP:
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Scotland (EH7 4HG)
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Country:
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United Kingdom
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Phone:
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+44 1315 579 344
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Fax:
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+44 1315 579 344
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E-Mail:
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[email protected]
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