Organisers of the European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe, held in Brussels in April, have described the events as “tremendously successful”.
The 20th edition of ESE and the 14th edition of SPE saw the total number of buyers and sellers in attendance top 25,600, with visitors from more than 150 countries. Exhibiting companies totalled 1,669, and they came from 79 countries to showcase their seafood, seafood products, equipment and services. There were 72 national and regional pavilions, including new representation from Lithuania, the Falkland Islands, and Yemen.
“The European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe were tremendously successful this year despite the current economic crisis facing Europe,” said Mary Larkin, vice president of seafood expositions for Diversified Business Communications, the company that produces the event. “The continued growth of this combined event shows that meeting face to face matters to buyers and sellers and that Brussels remains a crucial destination for doing business in the seafood industry,” Ms Larkin said.
Event highlights included the 12th anniversary of the Seafood Prix d’Elite New Product Competition, which had 37 finalists companies competing in seven prize categories. The 2012 Prix d’Elite winners included the following:
- Best New Retail Product: Kaviari of Paris, France for En K de Caviar, an innovative caviar product with a unique presentation
- Best New Foodservice Product: Prins & Dingemanse of Yerseke, Netherlands for Zeeuwse Creuse Caresse, an innovative oyster grown in an optimal, nutrient-rich environment
