By Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global
• The 32nd edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global will take place at Fira de Barcelona from 21–23 April 2026, bringing together leading companies from more than 80 countries and serving as a global business hub for the seafood industry.
• Speakers will include representatives from organizations such as the FAO, WTO and WWF, as well as leading seafood companies, addressing key topics including aquaculture, sustainability and transparency, among others.
• Economist and geopolitical strategist Dr. Nomi Prins will deliver the keynote address offering attendees an economic outlook for the global seafood industry.
The 32nd edition of Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global announces a conference program that will bring together more than 90 international seafood and industry experts to lead over 30 educational sessions. Taking place from 21-23 April at the Gran Vía venue of Fira de Barcelona, the event’s program will offer attendees valuable insights and practical perspectives on the key trends shaping the global seafood industry.
Speakers will include representatives from leading organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Trade Organization (WTO) and WWF, as well as executives from major seafood companies and industry associations. Notable speakers include Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy (FAO GLOBEFISH), Dominic Andradi-Brown (WWF-US), Chris Ninnes (Aquaculture Stewardship Council), Jayson Berryhill (Wholechain), Michelle Beritzhoff-Law (FishWise), Valentina Sannino (EUMOFA), Libby Woodhatch (MarinTrust Ltd.), Daniel Rejón (Lineage – Europe Region 2), Sunneva Sverrisdóttir (CO/PLUS) and Sébastien Metz (Global Seafood Alliance – GSA).
Sessions will address a wide range of topics including aquaculture development, emerging markets and species, supply chain compliance, traceability and transparency, sustainable innovation and responsible management, among others, highlighting both current challenges and future opportunities across the seafood sector.
Global Seafood Markets: Economic Outlook and Trade Pressures
A highlight of the program will be the keynote address by economist and geopolitical strategist Dr. Nomi Prins, titled “High Stakes, Shifting Tides: The Global Outlook on Seafood, Trade, Economic Pressure Points and Opportunities,” taking place on Tuesday, 21 April, from 13:00 to 14:00 in Room 5.1 at the Gran Vía venue of Fira de Barcelona.
Dr. Prins is an independent journalist, author and former Wall Street executive, widely sought after for her ability to bridge the worlds of politics, finance, and global economics. She is the author of seven influential books, including “Collusion: How Central Bankers Rigged the World,” “All the Presidents’ Bankers,” and “It Takes a Pillage,” and is known for delivering accessible, actionable insights that help organizations navigate volatility, trade disruptions and regulatory complexity.
In this address, free and open to all, Dr. Prins will deliver a forward-looking economic outlook for 2026, tailored to the global seafood sector – connecting macro forces to daily decisions, from U.S.–China trade tension fallout to evolving E.U. labeling regulations, traceability mandates and energy price swings. Whether you’re navigating Latin American shrimp exports, Middle East shipping chokepoints, or European labeling mandates, Prins will break down the real forces behind the headlines and what they mean for seafood’s global future.
Exploring Market Trends, Innovation and Industry Transformation
Throughout the three-day program, sessions will explore the rapid transformation of seafood markets, including changing consumer preferences, product innovation and marketing strategies aimed at increasing seafood consumption. On Tuesday (21 April), “Blue Ports and the Fisheries Industry: Building Resilient and Efficient Value Chains,” presented by Roberto Alonso, Secretary General, ANFACO-CYTMA (Spain); Shirlene Maria Anthonysamy, Fishery Officer (Markets), Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, FAO (Rome); Javier Garat Pérez, Secretary General, CEPESCA; Audun Lem, Chair of the International Board of FiTI; and Yolanda Molares, Blue Ports Initiative Consultant, FAO, will explore how ports serve as key hubs for quality control, traceability, processing, and logistics, supporting both competitiveness and sustainability across coastal economies.
Later that day, “Seafood Trade in the Tariff Era: An Analysis of Challenges and Opportunities Between the E.U. and U.S.,” presented by Richard Barry, Senior Market Analyst and Director of Programs, National Fisheries Institute, Guus Pastoor, President of Seafood Europe and Robert DeHaan, Executive Vice President for Government Affairs and General Counsel, National Fisheries Institute, will bring together trade and industry experts to examine shifting supply flows, evolving tariffs and opportunities for exporters navigating a more fragmented global seafood market.
Wednesday (22 April) highlights sessions focused on consumer behavior and market resilience. “Emerging Seafood Consumption Trends in Japan in a Changing Global Supply,” presented by Tina Peneva, Co-Founder and Head of European Office, Meros Consulting, will explore cultural and economic factors driving demand shifts in Japan, including product formats, channels and sustainability considerations influencing consumer choice. Complementing this, “Navigating Uncertainty: Building a Resilient E.U. Market for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products,” presented by Valentina Sannino, Market Intelligence Deputy Coordinator, EUMOFA, will analyze how COVID-19, Brexit, and geopolitical shocks have reshaped E.U. supply chains, highlighting strategies for adaptation, diversification and long-term resilience.
On Thursday (23 April), Dr. Dominic Andradi-Brown, Director of Blue Forests at WWF; Dane Klinger, Senior Director of Blue Foods at Conservation International, Dale Galvin, CEO at Deliberate Capital, LLC, Shannon Roberts, Aquaculture and Fisheries Biologist at Sea Farms Ltd. and Merrielle Macleod, Director of Aquaculture, WWF-US, will present “Mangroves + Aquaculture: A New Collaboration Frontier for Nature-Positive Seafood,” exploring how partnerships between seafood producers and NGOs can protect critical ecosystems while scaling responsible aquaculture. “Perfect Symphony: Sustainable Seafood by Low CO2, Circular Byproducts and New Technology,” presented by Frederik Geert Hoekstra, Economic Researcher at Wageningen University & Research, will highlight innovations in low-carbon seafood production, waste valorization, and digitalization across fisheries, aquaculture, and processing, offering actionable insights on how technology and sustainability are transforming seafood value chains.
Sustainability, Transparency and Responsible Supply Chains
Sustainability continues to be a central theme throughout the conference program. Experts from NGOs, academia, and the private sector will discuss strategies for improving responsible aquaculture practices, supply chain transparency, and environmental performance across the seafood industry. Sessions will address issues such as traceability systems, labor and human rights considerations, certification and reporting requirements, and collaborative initiatives designed to strengthen responsible seafood sourcing worldwide.
Notable panels include “From Port to Plate: What Shifting Seafood Consumption Means for the Cold Chain” on Wednesday, which examines how cold chain strategies support compliance, freshness, and operational efficiency, and “Rethinking Seafood: Business Development, Branding and Growth Beyond Commodities” on the same day, which highlights how innovative branding and category creation can unlock new market opportunities while driving sustainability. Thursday sessions will continue this topic, showing how industry-wide collaboration, circular economy approaches, and ecosystem-positive initiatives are creating more resilient, transparent and responsible seafood supply chains globally.
The 32nd Edition Will Feature Exhibitors from More Than 80 Countries
Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, the world’s largest and most diverse seafood trade event, will bring together leading seafood companies from more than 80 countries, with 62 national and regional pavilions, and participation continuing to grow.
The complete conference program can be found on the event website at https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/conference-program/. Attending the conference program requires a conference pass.
For further information about Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, and to register, visit: www.seafoodexpo.com/global.
About Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global
Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global make up the world’s largest seafood trade show. Thousands of buyers and sellers from around the world attend the three-day annual event to meet, connect, and do business. Buyers include importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other companies in the retail and foodservice sectors. Exhibitors showcase the latest innovations in seafood products, processing and packaging machinery, and services for the seafood industry. SeafoodSource.com is the official media partner of the event. The organizer is Diversified, the international leader in seafood events and media. www.seafoodexpo.com/global
About Diversified
Diversified is a global B2B events and media company that strengthens business communities by fostering a space, in person and online, for professionals and businesses to connect and grow. The company serves as a trusted partner across several industries including active lifestyle, business management, clean energy, commercial marine, healthcare, seafood, technology and more. The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, the global company has divisions and offices around the world in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Diversified is a third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
