Seafood Expo Global – 2022 Expo Preview

Next week, seafood industry professionals will convene in Barcelona, Spain for the 28th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the world’s largest seafood trade event. We look forward to reconnecting in-person with those of you attending the expo at its new home, Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via exhibition venue, from 26 to 28 April, 2022.

The industry’s excitement is palpable for the move to Barcelona from Brussels, Belgium – a decision that has been years in the making. The 2022 inaugural event in Barcelona will feature 1,550 exhibiting companies from 76 countries, who will showcase their latest offerings and services across an estimated 39,847 square meters of net exhibit space, representing 98 percent of the size of the 2019 event.  

There are more than 170 lead companies exhibiting for the first time this year at Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, including Balfego & Balfego, S.L., Crusta C, Profand Group, S.L., Hofseth International AS, Maresmar S.L.U., Mascato, S.A., Mercamadrid, S.A., G. Mondini SpA, Grasselli SpA, Mediterranean Shipping Company España S.L.U., and Optimar A.S.

Longtime exhibiting companies will also be in attendance, including AquaChile, Cermaq Norway AS, Confremar, Congelados y Frescos del Mar S.A., Cooke, Cornelis Vrolijk BV, Denholm Seafoods Ltd, Fisherman’s Choice, Frime, S.A.U., Iberconsa (Grupo Ibérica de Congelados), S.A.U., Iceland Seafood International, J Marr (Seafoods) Ltd, Krustagroup S.A.U., Leroy Seafood AS, Mowi A.S.A., Nordic Seafood A/S, Parlevliet & Van der Plas B.V., Pescanova España, S.L.U., Royal Greenland A/S, Samherji HF, Sea Harvest Corporation (Pty) Ltd, Sjor A.S., Viciunai Group, Adriatic Sea International srl, FoodTech Belgium, Marel, Nienstedt GmbH, Palinox Ingeniería y Proyectos S.L., Saeplast Iceland EHF, Steen F.P.M International n.v. and Ulma Packaging, among others. A comprehensive list of exhibitors can be viewed here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/exhibitor-lists/

In addition to the expansive roster of new and veteran exhibiting companies, thousands of attendees are due to peruse the exhibits halls and conference wing, including thousands of buyers representing supermarkets, hypermarkets, restaurants, traders, importers, distributors, wholesalers, and the hospitality industry. What’s more, 59 exhibiting countries and regions will operate national or regional pavilions at the event, including new pavilions: Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association, Eastern Black Sea Exporters’ Association (Turkey), Mercamadrid, S.A. (Spain) and there will be new country exhibitor participation from Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Lebanon and the French island of Réunion. A full list of country and regional pavilions can be found here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/country-regional-pavilions-2/

An educational conference covering 20 leading seafood industry topics is another feature of the 2022 Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global event. The three-day conference program includes over 65 international experts and offers panels on seafood industry business and leadership, an overview on climate change’s impact on the industry, an update on the aquafeed sector, and more.

A keynote from global economist, Financial Times columnist, and Harvard Kennedy School Senior Fellow Megan Greene will kick off the educational conference at the expo. Greene’s address, titled “Economic Outlook for 2022,” will examine where the global recovery is heading through the study of high frequency economic data, structural trends, global flows, political factors, and policy developments. Amy Novogratz, co-founder and managing partner at Aqua-Spark; Javier Garat, the president of Europêche and the International Coalition of Fisheries Associations (ICFA); and Skretting Sustainability Manager Jorge Diaz are among the other top names and organizations highlighted in this year’s program. A full listing of the conference program can be found here: https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/conference-program/

2022 marks the return of the prestigious Seafood Excellence Global awards competition. Thirty-eight products will compete for the competition’s two grand prizes: Best Retail Product and the Best Hotel/Restaurant/Catering (HORECA) Product. An additional five special awards for innovation, convenience, health and nutrition, retail packaging, and seafood product line could also be handed out, at the judges’ discretion.

All seafood products entered into the competition, including the 38 finalists, will be on display during the three-day exposition in the Galleria, between halls 4 and 5, in the Fira de Barcelona’s Gran Via venue. The winners will be announced at an awards ceremony and reception on 26 April, 2022, in CC5, room 5.1 from 19:15 until 21:00 at the expo.

Don’t miss out on the latest industry news during the event. On the first and second days, grab your copies of Expo Today Barcelona, two new official publications for Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, presented by SeafoodSource. The editorial team will be reporting live event coverage daily, so visit SeafoodSource.com often for news and updates and be sure to follow SeafoodSource and Seafood Expo Global on social media using the hashtag #SEG22. We invite you to stop by the SeafoodSource official media stand, #3J401, to explore SeafoodSource Premium.

Welcome to Barcelona! And welcome back to the seafood industry’s premier in-person trade event. Enjoy your time at the expo and be sure to keep up with all the latest event coverage here.

Wynter Courmont

Event Director, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global

Diversified Communications