Record Attendance at Seafood Expo Global Highlights Industry Strength and Innovation

In an impressive display of industry vitality, over 35,500 seafood professionals congregated in Barcelona for the 32nd edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global. This year’s event not only marked a milestone in attendance but also became the largest expo in its history.

Event Overview

Spanning more than 52,980 square metres of exhibition space, the expo hosted 2,290 exhibiting companies from 85 countries, solidifying its status as the foremost seafood trade platform globally. Over three bustling days, stakeholders from every corner of the seafood value chain engaged in face-to-face discussions, fostering relationships, exploring new business avenues, and gaining insights into emerging trends.

Taking place at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Vía venue from 22–24 April 2026, the event occupied halls 1 to 5, generating an estimated €161 million for the local economy.

International Participation

The expo drew a significant international crowd, with participants representing pivotal seafood markets, including Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, and Vietnam. The presence of government delegations underscored the sector’s economic and strategic importance on a global scale.

Wynter Courmont, Group Vice President of Seafood at Diversified, remarked, “The energy across the exhibition floor demonstrated just how valuable face-to-face connections remain. Participants used the event to strengthen partnerships, uncover new opportunities and stay ahead in a rapidly evolving industry.”

Showcasing Innovation

The exhibition floor featured a rich diversity of seafood products—from fresh to frozen, and value-added to packaged options. The Seafood Processing Global segment displayed cutting-edge technologies in processing, logistics, packaging, refrigeration, and quality control.

Major international buyers from various sectors, including retail, foodservice, and distribution, engaged in the Key Buyer Programme. Renowned companies like Aldi, Carrefour, Lidl, Sysco, and Sodexo were among the key participants.

The conference series offered critical analyses of pivotal topics, such as sustainability, supply chain transparency, aquaculture innovation, and workforce engagement. A highlights keynote address by economist Dr. Nomi Prins illuminated the global trade dynamics and economic pressures that will shape seafood markets heading into 2026 and beyond.

New Highlights and Features

A significant addition this year was the Aquaculture Innovation Zone, which provided a dedicated area for showcasing emerging technologies and solutions. Innovations ranged from fish health advancements and water monitoring to AI-driven analytics and sustainable production systems, uniting start-ups, researchers, and established companies.

Awards and Recognitions

The Seafood Excellence Global Awards celebrated standout products within the exhibition, boasting 35 finalists from 16 countries. Notably, Lithuania’s Vičiūnai Group secured the title of Best Retail Product for its smoked herring slices, while France’s Frais Embal took first place in the HORECA category with its acclaimed salmon roll.

Networking events such as Connecting Women in Seafood and the Aquaculture Meet-Up promoted collaboration and inclusivity throughout the sector. Attendees indulged in culinary demonstrations, hands-on product tastings, and the ever-popular oyster shucking competition.

Commitment to sustainability was evident as organizers partnered with the Barcelona Food Bank to collect seafood donations from exhibitors.

Looking Forward

With such phenomenal success, the excitement builds for the next edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which is set to return to Barcelona from 20–22 April 2027.

Main Image © Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global