Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which took place 25-27 April 2017 in Brussels, Belgium, set record-breaking results, making it the largest ever event in terms of both exhibit space and attendance numbers. The world’s largest seafood exposition is organised by Diversified Communications.
More than 28,500 buyers and suppliers from around the world came to Brussels for the 25th edition of the event, which drew visitors from 150 countries. The expo featured the stands of 1,859 exhibiting companies from 79 countries, who showcased their seafood products, services and equipment.
Some 73 national and regional pavilions exhibited, including new representation from Latvia, Myanmar, Poland and Venezuela, and other new exhibiting countries including Costa Rica, Cyprus and Romania. The exhibits covered 38,338 net square meters of combined exhibit space.
Continued Growth
“It is very impressive to see the exposition grow year after year and to know that it brings the seafood community from nearly 79% of the countries represented in the world," said Wynter Courmont, event director for Diversified Communications.
"This is a strong indication that business continuity is important to the industry, and seafood and processing companies from around the globe are counting on this event to reach their business goals.”
“The continued growth of this event shows the value of face-to-face meetings for buyers and suppliers doing business in the global seafood industry.”
Seafood Buyers
Attending seafood buyers who were represented included buyers from restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, catering services, importers, distributors, seafood markets and more. A record 455 high-volume buyers participated in this year’s Key Buyer program.
“It’s an event 100% dedicated to fish and seafood and it brings the whole sector together once a year, where you can meet with current and potential clients and see other businesses, competitors and non-competitors alike,” said a category manager from Dutch retailer Ahold.
Key buyers in attendance included representatives from Aldi, AmazonFresh, Auchan, Carrefour, Coop, Costco, Delhaize, Edeka, Esselunga, ICA, Jumbo, Kesko, Lidl, Marks & Spencer, Metro, Rema 1000, Spar, Tesco, and many others.
Seafood Excellence Awards
The Seafood Excellence Global awards competition, which recognises the best seafood products represented at the exposition, took place on 25 April.
Cozy Harbor Seafood of Portland, Maine, USA, won Best Retail Product with its entry, Lobster Meat. Globe Export/Algues de Bretagne of Rosporden, France won for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) Product for its Marinated Seaweed.
Five special awards were also given. The award for Health & Nutrition was given to Marinated Seaweed from Globe Export/Algues de Bretagne of Rosporden, France. Vichiunai Europe of Brugge, Belgium won the award for Convenience for its product, Perles de la Mer.
The award for Retail Packaging went to Sushi Mix – Visiopack from Delpierre of Boulogne-sur-Mer, France. Golden Fresh of Butterworth, Malaysia was presented the Seafood Excellence Global special award for Innovation for its product Kuro Prawns.
In the competition, a panel of experts in seafood products judged the 43 finalists on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value and innovation.
Next year’s Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will be held on 24-26 April 2018 at the Brussels Expo. For more information, visit the exposition’s website www.seafoodexpo.com/global.
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