Thousands of buyers and sellers of fish and seafood are set to meet, greet and eat in Brussels from April 25-27 as the 25th running of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global (formerly known as the European Seafood Exposition) takes place in Belgium’s capital city. Produced by Diversified Communications, this year’s silver anniversary event will be the largest ever in terms of booked space, as 38,350 square meters will be occupied by producers and marketers of fishery and aquaculture products, services and equipment from more than 1,800 exhibitors from 79 countries.
The numbers are up from 1,664 companies and organizations showing their stuff across 35,862 square meters of space last year, when attendance fell by approximately 17% to 22,160, compared to a record-setting 26,652 visitors in 2015.
The downturn was no surprise considering that the 2016 show took place less than a month after terrorist bombings attributed to the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) killed 34 people and wounded at least 270 more at Zaventem International Airport and within the Brussels metro underground station at Maelbeek. The attack prompted a number of companies and visitors to cancel their attendance.
This year’s running of the exposition will, as always, attract important established and emerging players from every sector of the seafood industry around the globe keen on doing business with new and existing suppliers, learning about emerging trends and discussing challenges and successes.
Among those in attendance will key seafood buyers from restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, catering services, import-export companies and wholesale distribution organizations.
Seventy-three national and regional pavilions will be showcasing products and equipment, with new pavilion participation this year from Latvia, Myanmar, Poland and Venezuela. Costa Rica, Cyprus, Myanmar, Romania and Venezuela will have an official national presence at the show for the first time.
“We are thrilled to be celebrating 25 editions of bringing the global seafood community together under one roof,” said Wynter Courmont, event director for Portland, Maine-headquartered Diversified Communications. “Each year, this exposition continues to offer an excellent opportunity for the international seafood community to meet, network and get industry news at a global level.”
The event’s success and growth over the years can be attributed to the growing demand for seafood worldwide. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), seafood consumption has risen to more than 20 kilograms a year, thanks to an increasingly robust aquaculture supply, record hauls for a number of key species and reduced waste. In addition, global consumption of fish and seafood has doubled since 1973 and is estimated to reach 178 metric tons by 2025.
Alongside Seafood Expo Global is Seafood Processing Global, representing every aspect of seafood processing, including packaging materials and equipment, freezing equipment and supplies, primary processing equipment, secondary processing equipment, hygiene control/sanitation and quality assurance services. Seafood Processing Global will hold forth in Halls 4 and 8 during the three-day event.
Seafood Excellence Global Awards
On the evening of Tuesday, April 25, Diversified Communications will host the Seafood Excellence Global awards reception, where the winners of the Best Retail Product and the Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product will be announced. The awards recognize the best seafood offerings represented at the exposition. Special prizes will also be presented for Innovation, Convenience, Health and Nutrition, Retail Packaging and Seafood Product Line. All participant entries and winning entries will be on display at the Seafood Excellence Global stand in the Patio of the Brussels Expo.
