Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global expanding in 2023

The 29th edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global is set to be larger than last year’s event, with more than 45,000 square meters in exhibit space sold and months to go before the event takes place for the second time in Barcelona, Spain, from 25 to 27 April, 2023.

In a press release, Diversified Communications said the event had a successful debut at Fira de Barcelona's Gran Vía venue in April 2022, bringing in 26,703 attendees, 1,556 exhibiting companies from 77 countries occupying 39,847 square meters of exhibit space, and generating an estimated local economic impact of up to EUR 100 million (USD 108 million). [Editor's note: Diversified Communications also owns and operates SeafoodSource].

“Building on the 2022 edition’s momentum, the event returns to the same venue in Barcelona, and for three days, will be the seafood sector's largest commercial and face-to-face trade event, providing the industry with a valuable business platform at a global level, as well as a considerable economic impact for the city,” Portland, Maine, U.S.A.-based Diversified said in a press release.

"We expect long-term growth in Barcelona," Diversified Communications Group Vice President Liz Plizga said. "Last year’s successful first edition in Barcelona validated the benefits of moving a global event the size of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global in a modern and convenient location that present long-term growth opportunities. The exhibit halls were buzzing during all three days, and you could feel the excitement of being back in-person from both sides of the aisle. At the end of the event, exhibitors and visitors alike were looking forward to the 2023 edition.” 

The upcoming event is already tracking ahead of the 2022 edition in size, with more than 45,000 square meters of exhibit space sold to-date, Plizga said.

“It will be exciting to see the additional growth in the coming months leading up to the show,” Plizga said.

Once again for 2023, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will bring together the global seafood sector’s key players, including suppliers, buyers, authorities, distributors, and service providers. Fresh, frozen, canned, canned, value-added, processed, and packaged seafood will be on display to seafood buyers from around the world, including representatives of supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, caterers, importers, distributors, seafood markets, and other retail and foodservice companies.

The 2023 edition of Seafood Processing Global will cover every aspect of seafood processing, including packaging materials and machinery, refrigeration and freezing equipment, primary processing systems, secondary processing systems, hygiene control, sanitation, and quality control services, Diversified said.

In addition, the 29th edition will expand the offer of its conference program 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 industry experts. This year, video recordings of the sessions are included in the conference registration.

Finnian O’Luasa, the France, Belgium, and Luxembourg manager for Irish food promotion agency Bord Bia, said the organization’s stand in Barcelona attracted unprecedented interest in 2022.

"The seafood industry is an industry based on human relationships. Therefore it is extremely important for people to be able to meet face-to-face to discuss on a human level, solve their problems, and look at the future together," O’Luasa said "We’ve never had so many people on our stand, with 25 companies, which is a record.”