Data compiled by TNS mrbi indicates that Christmas 2007 smoked salmon sales will be in excess the €6.6m spent on smoked salmon in 2006, fixing the fish as a favourite on the festive table.
The smoked salmon retail market was valued at €18.4m in the 12 months to June -- up 19pc on 2006.
Christmas is the busiest period for retail salmon sales in Ireland, with an average 38pc of annual smoked salmon sales taking place in the run up to and over the Christmas holidays.
Richard Donnelly, a market research executive at Bord Iascaigh Mhara said that early indications were that this year's sales of smoked salmon would top last year's record figures.
"Although there are still six shopping days to go till Christmas, signs are that smoked salmon sales this Christmas will top €7 million," according to Mr Donnelly.
"There is more smoked salmon on sale and in more stores than last year, so we expect more will be purchased than ever before."
Salmon Sales Go Swimmingly as Festive Fish Figures Hit 7m
IRELAND - Irish seafood retailers are preparing for a bumper Christmas in smoked salmon sales.