Seafood Expo Global’s Barcelona move to net the city more than EUR 100 million annually

The 29^th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will be hosted for the first time in Barcelona, Spain beginning in 2021, bringing more than EUR 100 million (USD 110 million) annually to the city, according to event organizer Diversified Communications.

For 28 years, the expo – which is the world’s largest trade event in the seafood industry – has taken place at the Brussels Expo in Brussels, Belgium, where it will be held one more time in 2020 from 21 to 23 April. Following the 2020 edition, the event will move to the Gran Vía venue of Fira de Barcelona, “where it will bring together more than 29,000 professionals, including visiting companies from 155 countries and over 2,000 exhibitors from 89 countries,” Diversified explained from Barcelona during a 14 November presentation about the move. [Editor’s note: Diversified Communications also owns and operates SeafoodSource]

Over the years, the event has broken several exhibition space records, including in 2019, when it featured 40,625 net square meters of sold exhibit space, surpassing 2018’s previous record by 1,237 square meters.

Its global strategic positioning ranks as the event’s top value, Diversified Communications Group Vice President Liz Plizga said in a previous interview with SeafoodSource. She added Diversified believes Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global’s new home in Barcelona is an ideal match for both the city and the expo.

“Businesses in the city will benefit from the opportunity of a global event the size of Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global. The event will have a positive effect on the local economy and for three days, Barcelona will be the hub of the seafood industry at a global level,” Plizga said. “Celebrating the event in Barcelona will also attract the attention of the industry on a national level. Spanish exhibitors will have the opportunity to meet international buyers who are looking for their products. The event is an essential part of any seafood business aiming to expand globally.”

The Barcelona decision was aided by a comprehensive market study, conducted over several years, based on exhibitor and attendee opinions, and an analysis of Europe’s main business destinations, Plizga said.

“We chose Barcelona based on the size and capabilities of the city as a major international destination for trade events, its robust hotel offerings, and Fira de Barcelona for being a modern and innovative venue. Both offer our event long-term growth potential. Furthermore, Barcelona is a world gastronomic capital, a major seafood hub in Europe and has a historical relationship with seafood and fishing industry,” Plizga said. “The trade fair has grown year after year, and this being the first time we’re moving our global event to another city in 28 years, we expect to increase the number of exhibitors and visitors with its landing in Barcelona. Clients have already shared with us their enthusiasm about the move and many companies have confirmed their interest in enhancing their participation in the 2021 edition.”

Fira de Barcelona CEO Constantí Serrallonga said the team at the site is “very pleased to host the largest world event on seafood, which enhances the positioning of Barcelona and Fira as an international reference event destination." The arrival of the new event, according to Serrallonga, "will also strengthen the role of the city and the institution around the food industry, joining other major events in the sector that we already organize, such as Alimentaria, Hostelco, or the Forum Gastronomic."

The most recent Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global attracted 79 percent of the world’s countries to its exhibit floor, and featured host pavilions representing 74 national and international nations and regions as well as exhibitors from 89 countries and buyers from about 155 countries.

“Suppliers and buyers alike will attend three intensive days of business, networking, seeking new products and learning about the latest trends in the market,” Diversified said in its release. “The trade fair will attract both vendors and seafood industry buyers from retail, supermarkets, hypermarkets, traders, importers, distributors and wholesalers, and from the HORECA industry, including top high-volume retail and HORECA buyers who take part in the Key Buyer Program organised by the trade fair.  This is the event where buying decisions are made during and after the event.”

More than 2,000 exhibiting companies are expected to present a range of seafood product innnovations, and also machinery and services for the seafood industry at the expo, Diversified added. Seafood Expo Global will bring together global providers of the latest fresh, frozen, canned, added-value, processed, and packaged seafood products. Seafood Processing Global will showcase all aspects for the seafood processing sector, from cooling and freezing equipment and supplies to primary processing equipment, secondary processing equipment, hygiene control and sanitation services, quality assurance, and more. 

Photo courtesy of Diversified Communications