Following a record-setting year for attendance in 2018, as well as for the number of exhibiting companies and total exhibit space covered, the 2019 running of Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global in Brussels promises to be bigger still, according to the organizer.
The 27th edition of the show, which will run from May 7-9 and is expected to attract over 29,1000 international buyers and sellers, will see further expansion and encompass Hall 3 and Hall 4 at the Brussels Expo venue with additional seafood processing companies on the scene. Hall 8 will now exclusively hold seafood exhibits and will also feature the Seafood Excellence Global stand.
Seafood Expo Global features seafood suppliers from around the globe who will be presenting their latest frozen and non-frozen marine products to international and domestic market buyers from supermarket chains, restaurants, hotels, catering services, importing and distribution companies.
Seafood Processing Global, which takes place alongside Seafood Expo Global, provides visitors with every aspect of seafood processing, including packaging materials and equipment, refrigeration and freezing equipment and supplies, primary processing equipment, secondary processing equipment, hygiene control and sanitation and quality assurance services.
Among this year’s exhibitors, more than 70 national and regional pavilions will showcase marine products and equipment with first-time pavilion participation from South Korea’s Busan Techno Park. New country pavilions will include those from Guyana, Uganda and Tanzania.
The exhibition’s success and growth through the years can be attributed to expanding trade flows. Seafood products are among the most traded food items in the world today, according to a recent report by the FAO entitled “State of World Fisheries & Aquaculture.” Approximately 60 million tons of fish and fish products exported in 2016 represented a 245 percent increase over 1976. During the same period, the value of global trade in fishery products also grew significantly, with exports rising from US $8 billion in 1976 to $143 billion in 2016.
The success and growth of the annual event in Belgium can also be attributed to the rising popularity of seafood worldwide. In per capita terms, food fish consumption has grown from nine kilograms per person in 1961 to 20.2 kilograms in 2015, at an average rate increase of about 1.5 percent per year. World fish consumption in 2030 was projected to be 20 percent higher than in 2016, according to the FAO report.
Seafood buyers may register to attend Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global by visiting the Diversified Communications organizer’s website: www.seafoodexpo.com/global.
