12 May, 2007

A SHETLAND salmon producer has been named International Business of the Year as part of the Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2007.

Lerwick-based Hjaltland Seafarms won the major allocade at a gala dinner in Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery, on Thursday night.

Hjaltland managing director Michael Stark said winning the prestigious award was testament to the hard work and dedication of the company's workforce.

The company has just been bought by the Norwegian seafood producers Grieg Seafoods, and is also in the process of completing a major expansion to their factory in Lerwick.

Mr Stark said the company now had a substantial customer base in 13 countries in Europe, the Far East and North America.

"The company's track record of meeting the challenge of delivering product to the other side of the world in just three to four days speaks for itself.

"Export sales have risen by over 45 per cent from £5.5 million in 2004 to almost £8 million in 2006. In 2007, we are confident that this figure will increase by a further 20 per cent," he said.

Three Shetland companies, last year's winner Johnson Sustainable Seafoods, Isle of Shuna Shellfish, formerly Demlane, and Hjaltland had been shortlisted in five of the fifteen different categories.

Johnson Sustainable Seafoods was named 'Best from previous Years' Winners' for having been shortlisted in three categories this year: Retail - Fish and Seafood, Food Service product - Savoury, and Brand Development.