Catalonia strengthens the international positioning of its fishing sector at Seafood Expo Global 2026

More than 40 Catalan companies from the fish and seafood sector are taking part from 21 to 24 April in Seafood Expo Global, held at the Gran Via venue of Fira de Barcelona and established as the sector's leading international trade fair. Of these, 21 are attending with Prodeca's support within the Catalonia Pavilion. Catalan participation aims to strengthen the international positioning of fisheries and aquaculture products, drive new commercial opportunities and project Catalonia as a global benchmark for the sector, helping Catalan businesses raise their international profile and reinforcing the sector's joint visibility.

Seafood Expo Global once again makes Barcelona the world's epicentre for seafood. The show brings together thousands of professionals from across the value chain every year — importers, distributors, wholesalers, retail and the restaurant trade — and is a key platform for companies going international.

Catalan companies at the Catalonia Pavilion (2G501 - 2H501 - 2H401)

• D'Elite Investigación y Desarrollo
• Europeix
• Peixos de Palamós
• Alfrisa
• Grup Ros / Freskibo
• Doble Nelson
• DPA Seafood Technology
• Frigoríficos Unidos SA (Friusa)
• Blaqus Seafood
• Barrufet
• PH7 Food Technology
• Cocedero de Mariscos
• Laboratorio Fish&Tech SLU
• Pasapesca
• Easyfish SL
• Iberdigest SL
• Globalimar Europa S.L.
• Barrufet Seafood
• Mercabarna
• JGutierrez Food Trading
• B&M Seafood

Institutional visit and sector agenda

Catalan participation at Seafood Expo Global features a strong institutional presence. On Wednesday 22 April, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food, Òscar Ordeig, will visit the fair, accompanied by the Secretary for Food, Rosa Cubel, the Director General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries, Itziar Segarra, and the director of Prodeca, Dèlia Perpiñà.

The visit includes a tour of the Catalan companies' stands, both within the Catalonia Pavilion and elsewhere at the venue, to learn about their work at first hand and reinforce institutional support for the sector.

During the day, the Minister will also take part in several Catalonia HUB activities, including the event, attended by the five Mediterranean autonomous communities, on the need to reform the Common Fisheries Policy, a forum to discuss the future of the Mediterranean coastal fleet. The institutional programme will be rounded off with a showcooking featuring Catalan seafood and a networking event with industry professionals.

The Catalonia HUB, meeting point for the Catalan fishing sector

One of the central pillars of Catalan participation is the Catalonia HUB (Hall 2, stand 2H401), promoted by the Directorate General for Maritime Policy and Sustainable Fisheries. This space is establishing itself as the meeting point for the entire Catalan seafood value chain.

Over the three days of the fair, the HUB hosts a programme of technical, institutional and gastronomic activities designed to address the sector's main challenges and create spaces for knowledge and exchange.

Scheduled content includes sessions on sustainability and climate change adaptation, such as the presentation of restorative aquaculture guidelines and projects linked to shellfish production in the Ebro Delta. Other sessions address innovation and adding value to products, such as initiatives to reduce food waste and make better use of fishery by-products, and the work of Catalonia's fishery producer organisations.

The programme also includes industry discussion forums, such as the Cross-Sector Fish Committee, bringing together representatives from production, distribution and marketing, as well as sessions on fisheries governance in the Mediterranean and adapting European legislation to the coastal fleet.

During Seafood, recognition will also be given to the contribution to Catalonia's Maritime Strategy of five projects developed in each of the territories of Catalonia's five FLAGs.

On the gastronomic side, the HUB features cooking demonstrations and showcookings with local produce, highlighting the quality and diversity of Catalan seafood and its links with the restaurant trade.

Seafood Expo Global: Barcelona reaffirms itself as the world's fishing sector epicentre

Seafood Expo Global has established itself as the absolute benchmark trade event for the global fishing industry, acting as the main meeting point for professionals across the value chain, from catch and aquaculture through to processing and distribution. In its 32nd edition, the show reaffirms its strategic role as a driver of innovation and trade worldwide. Beyond being a business platform, the fair is where the sector's future trends are defined, with particular focus on sustainability, food safety and the blue economy, offering a comprehensive view of the challenges and opportunities facing the international seafood market.

This year the show breaks all its historical records and is presented as the largest edition ever held. With a net exhibition area exceeding 52,950 m2 at the Gran Via venue, the fair expects more than 2,300 exhibiting companies from 86 countries. This scale, including 65 national and regional pavilions, underlines the dynamism of a sector firmly committed to international collaboration.