More than 34,000 seafood professionals attended the 29th edition – an increase of
24 percent over last year
A total of 2,078 exhibiting companies from 87 different countries took part in the Expo, held in Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Vía fairgrounds
The next Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will be held in Barcelona on 23-25 April 2024
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global collaborated with Banc dels Aliments (Food Bank) to collect products from exhibitors and collected an estimated 14,000 kg of seafood products
Barcelona, Spain (27 April 2023) – Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the world’s largest trade expo for the seafood industry, has reached a record in terms of exhibit space, number of exhibiting companies and total attendance for its second year in Barcelona. Diversified Communications, organizer of the trade event, estimates that over 34,000 buyers and suppliers from the global seafood industry came to the event, 24 percent more than in 2022.
The three-day event exceeded all expectations, with 2,078 exhibiting companies from 87 different countries, 68 national and regional pavilions and an economic impact for the city estimated at 150 million Euros. With 49,339 net square meters of exhibit space, 24 percent more than in 2022 and 21 percent more than the previous largest event (held in Brussels in 2019), this year’s Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global represents the largest edition ever held — in size and attendance — in the Expo’s history.
“This has been a busy and productive three days filled with opportunities for decision makers in the seafood industry to gather and conduct business. The unprecedented number of visitors along with a record in exhibit space continue to position Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global as the must-attend global event in the industry,” said Liz Plizga, President of Diversified Communications USA. “Exhibitors and visitors told us how pleased they were with the event’s exhibits and content, the venue and the city of Barcelona. The Expo is a valuable platform for the industry to do business on a global scale,” added Plizga.
High-volume buyers from the retail, foodservice and distribution have taken part in the event’s Key Buyer program, including: Aldi (Austria, Germany, Ireland, Spain), Auchan (France, Portugal), Bidfood (Australia, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Italy, Poland, Czechia, Latvia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Slovakia), Brakes (United Kingdom), Coop (Switzerland, United Kingdom, Italy, Denmark), Costco (United States, Canada, Spain, United Kingdom), Delhaize (Belgium), Foodbuy Foodservice (United Kingdom), Groupo Eroski (Spain), HelloFresh (Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Germany), Kaufland (Croatia, Germany), Lidl (United Kingdom, Spain), Loblaw (Canada), Marks and Spencer (United Kingdom), Metro (Turkey, Serbia, Austria, Czechia, Ukraine, Romania, Hong Kong, France, Germany, Hungary), Ocean Basket (South Africa, Kazakhstan), REWE Far East (Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkey, Germany), Sodexo (United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy), Sysco (United Kingdom, France, Ireland, Hong Kong), Transgourmet (Germany, Spain, Austria, Switzerland), Walmart (United States, China) and more.
The latest innovations in products and the future of the industry
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global featured the latest seafood products from suppliers from around the globe, and highlighted current trends in processing and packaging equipment, quality control, food safety and food hygiene services. Quality of products, innovation with new flavors, Asian flavors, spicy products and street food-inspired products were some of the most notable trends spotted at the event.
The prestigious Seafood Excellence Global Awards recognized the best products represented at the Expo. Spain’s Vičiūnai Group was awarded Best Retail Product for its Black Sepia Dumplings with Shrimp and Thai Broth Filling. Unima Distribution (France) received the prize for Best HORECA Product (Hotel/Restaurant/Catering) for its Organic Body-Peeled Madagascar Shrimp.
Seafood Expo Global exhibitors showcased the most recent innovations in seafood – fresh, frozen, canned, value-added, processed and packaged – to seafood buyers from around the world, including supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, caterers, importers, distributors, seafood markets and other businesses in the retail and foodservice industries.
Seafood Processing Global brought together companies representing every aspect of seafood processing, including packaging material and machinery, equipment and supplies for refrigeration and freezing, primary and secondary processing equipment, hygiene control and sanitation, and quality assurance services.
This year’s event included a robust Conference Program with more than 20 educational sessions presented by more than 85 international industry experts including representatives from the fishing industry, leading regulators, economists, NGOs and experts in biodiversity and sustainability. The Keynote speaker was Megan Greene, global economist, Financial Times columnist and Senior Fellow at the Watson Institute for International and Public Affairs at Brown University. The conferences addressed the seafood industry’s main challenges in terms of sustainability and the global economy. Other topics covered were sea-derived feed ingredients, aquaculture and logistics in the seafood industry.
The next Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will take place in Barcelona, from 23-25 April 2024, at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Vía venue. For further information visit www.seafoodexpo.com/global.
Collaboration with Barcelona Food Bank
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global partnered with Barcelona Food Bank to collect the seafood products donated by exhibitors. This afternoon, more than 50 volunteers walked around the exhibit halls to gather seafood products in refrigerated vehicles. Banc dels Aliments estimates recovering around 14,000 kg of product.
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About Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global
Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global form the world’s largest seafood trade event. Thousands of buyers and suppliers from around the world attend the annual, three-day exposition to meet, network and conduct business. Attending buyers represent importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other retail and foodservice companies. Exhibiting suppliers offer the newest seafood products, processing and packaging equipment, and services available in the seafood market. SeafoodSource.com is the exposition’s official media. The exposition is produced by Diversified Communications, the international leader in seafood-industry expositions and media. www.seafoodexpo.com/global
About Diversified Communications
Diversified Communications is a leading international media company with a portfolio of face-to-face exhibitions and conferences, online communities and digital and print publications. As producers of these market-leading products Diversified Communications connects, educates and strengthens business communities in over 15 industries including: food and beverage, healthcare, natural and organic, business management and technology. The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, USA with divisions and offices around the world, Diversified Communications remains a privately held, third generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com