Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which will take place in Barcelona, Spain, from 23 to 25 April 2024, will be the largest version of the expo yet, according to event organizer Diversified Communications.
The 2024 expo will occupy at least 51,227 net square meters, 4 percent higher than the 2023 edition of the show by size, making it the largest seafood trade show in the world.
There are 2,050 exhibiting companies participating to date, according to Diversified Communications Seafood Vice President Wynter Courmont, speaking at a press conference in Barcelona on Thursday, 4 April. [Editor’s note: Diversified Communications owns and operates SeafoodSource.]
To accommodate the rapid growth of the show and welcome new exhibitors, the event will expand to Hall 1 of the Fira Barcelona Gran Via Venue.
“With the expansion into Hall 1, the event reinforces its position as the largest in-person global seafood trade event and enables us to reach a broader range of international seafood professionals from across the supply chain who are eager to showcase and discuss their latest advancements,” Courmont said. “For the 30th edition of the event, we’ve strategically created new spaces to enhance attendees’ experience onsite, facilitate meaningful conversations, and provide a unique platform for the industry to forge new business partnerships and relationships.”
Courmont said she expects a new attendance record in 2024, after the expo welcomed more than 34,000 seafood professionals in 2023.
“Right now, our registration numbers are going very well, so we expect that the numbers will be higher this year in line with our exhibit space growth,” Courmont said at the press conference.
The 2024 expo will feature companies from 84 countries and will host 66 regional and country pavilions. New regional pavilions include Brazil, France, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and Oman, and new exhibiting countries at the event include Azerbaijan, Brazil, and Cote D'Ivoire.
This year’s show will also generate an estimated EUR 156 million (USD 168 million) in economic impact to the host city of Barcelona, according to Courmont.
“The event came here three years ago to grow, and it is already breaking records as the global hub for the seafood industry,” Fira Barcelona General Manager Constantí Serrallonga said. “Fira’s leadership as a benchmark institution for international events, along with its innovative and premium venue and a welcoming city such as Barcelona, provides the ideal environment bursting with opportunities for an event such as this.”
Seafood companies including AquaChile, Balfego & Balfego, Blumar, Cermaq Norway AS, Clearwater, Cooke Seafood Inc., Cornelis Vrolijk BV, Denholm Seafoods Ltd., Direct Ocean, Frime, S.A.U., Frinsa Del Noroeste S.A., Gelazur, Godaco Seafood JCS, Greenland Sofina, Groupe Barba, Iceland Seafood International, Japofish, Lerøy Seafood Group ASA, Maresmar SL, Metarex, Mowi ASA, Parlevliet & van der Plas Bv, Pescanova España, S.L.U., Phillips Foods Inc, Regal Springs AG, Salmar AS, Sea Harvest Corporation (Pty) Ltd., Seafood Connection Bv, Vinh Hoan Corporation, Worldwide Fishing Company SL, Talleys, and Unima, among many others, will be exhibiting in this year’s expo.
The 2024 edition of Seafood Processing Global, meanwhile, will showcase innovative developments in seafood processing, packaging materials and machinery, refrigeration and freezing equipment, primary processing systems, secondary processing systems, hygiene control, sanitation, and quality control services, Diversified said.
Exhibiting processing companies include Adriatic Sea International srl, Ashworth Belts BV, Aquatiq AS, Baader, CMA CGM, Cocci Luciano SRL, COLIGROUP SPA, Defitrans SA, FoodTech Belgium vzw, GEA Food Solutions Germany GmbH, Lineage Logistics, Maersk AS, Marel, Maschinenfabrik Seydelmann KG, Mediterranean Shipping Company, MMC First Process, MULTIVAC Sepp Haggenmüller SE & Co. KG, Palinox Ingenieria y Proyectos Sl, STEF, and ULMA Packaging.
Attendees have the opportunity to participate in this year’s conference program, which aims to serve as a platform to discuss the seafood industry’s major challenges, opportunities, and solutions. The program will include more than 20 informative sessions hosted by seafood industry experts, including Brown University Professor of International Economics Mark Blyth as the keynote speaker.
The 2024 expo will also showcase latest trends and products in the seafood industry through its annual Seafood Excellence Global Awards. Winners will be chosen in two categories – Best Retail Product and Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product – and four special prizes will be awarded for innovation, retail packaging, convenience and product line, from a selection of 40 finalists representing 15 countries.
