Grimsby and Iceland have always enjoyed very strong links due to fish processing. We are the biggest importer of Icelandic fish in the UK. With Brexit and changes in how companies are working, our relationship with Iceland is an absolute priority in Grimsby. Martin Vickers MP for Cleethorpes and I were invited to meet the Icelandic Foreign Minister, Gudlaugur Thor Thordarson, and also the Icelandic Ambassador, to talk about our future relationship, how valuable it is and the future trade deal, which we’re both working on at the moment. It was an enjoyable and positive meeting and our partnership with Iceland is essential to the economy of Grimsby.
Most days, we have imports of Icelandic fish through the docks in Grimsby, nowadays mostly by land and lorry. In the UK, we eat predominately Icelandic and Norwegian white fish. If you eat cod or haddock from the shops, it will be most likely Icelandic fish. We don’t catch quantities of haddock or cod in any way shape or form in the UK and never would be able to satisfy our taste for cod and haddock. Keeping good fluid trade routes and trading relationships with Iceland is therefore absolutely key to not only Grimsby economy but the UK fish eaters around the country.
