RECORD ATTENDANCE AT SEAFOOD EXPO GLOBAL

Record Attendance at Seafood Expo Global Highlights Industry Strength and Innovation

More than 35,500 seafood professionals gathered in Barcelona for the 32nd edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, making it the largest event in the show’s history.

Spanning over 52,980 square metres of exhibition space, the event brought together 2,290 exhibiting companies from 85 countries, reinforcing its position as the world’s leading seafood trade platform. Over three days, industry stakeholders from across the value chain met face-to-face to build relationships, explore new business opportunities and gain insight into the trends shaping the future of seafood.

Held at Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Vía venue from 22–24 April 2026, the expo occupied halls 1 to 5 and is estimated to have generated more than €161 million for the local economy.

The event attracted a strong international presence, with exhibitors and visitors representing key seafood markets including Norway, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, China, Vietnam and many more. Government delegations from across the globe were also in attendance, underlining the sector’s economic and strategic importance.

Wynter Courmont, Group Vice President of Seafood at Diversified, highlighted the significance of in-person engagement: “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.”

Innovation across the value chain

Exhibitors showcased a diverse range of seafood products—from fresh and frozen to value-added and packaged—while Seafood Processing Global featured the latest in processing technology, logistics, packaging, refrigeration and quality control solutions.

Major international buyers from retail, foodservice and distribution sectors took part in the Key Buyer Programme, including leading companies such as Aldi, Carrefour, Lidl, Sysco and Sodexo.

The conference programme delivered in-depth analysis on critical industry topics, including sustainability, supply chain transparency, aquaculture innovation and workforce engagement. A keynote address by economist Dr Nomi Prins explored global trade dynamics and economic pressures shaping seafood markets in 2026 and beyond.

A notable addition this year was the Aquaculture Innovation Zone, which provided a dedicated space for emerging technologies and solutions. The zone spotlighted advancements in fish health, water monitoring, AI-driven analytics and sustainable production systems, bringing together start-ups, researchers and established companies.

Awards and industry recognition

The Seafood Excellence Global Awards recognised standout products from across the exhibition, with 35 finalists representing 16 countries. Lithuania’s Vičiūnai Group won Best Retail Product for its smoked herring slices, while France’s Frais Embal took top honours in the HORECA category for its salmon roll.

Networking events, including Connecting Women in Seafood and the Aquaculture Meet-Up, encouraged collaboration and inclusivity across the sector. Attendees also enjoyed culinary demonstrations, product tastings and the ever-popular oyster shucking competition.

Sustainability remained a key focus, with organisers partnering with the Barcelona Food Bank to collect seafood donations from exhibitors.

Looking ahead

The next edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will return to Barcelona from 20–22 April 2027.

Main Image © Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global