Vičiūnai Group of Lithuania and Kalaneuvos Oy of Finland won the top prizes in the 2025 Seafood Excellence Global Awards at Seafood Expo Global (SEG), taking place in Barcelona on 6-8 May.
Winners were selected from a field of 40 finalists and were announced at a special Seafood Excellence Global Awards reception.
The competition recognises the best products exhibited at SEG.
Top award for Best Retail Product was presented to Vičiūnai Group for its entry, Cold-smoked Atlantic Salmon with Truffles. This product features four sliced pieces of premium smoked salmon, infused and topped with the rich, earthy aroma of truffles. The judges noted the perfect balance of the truffle and salmon flavours and the expert cutting that included just the right amount of truffles on each slice.
Kalaneuvos Oy won the grand prize for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) Product for its Trout Bacon. This product offers a completely new way to serve fish. It is cooked like bacon in a pan, oven, or air fryer and becomes very crispy, so it can be served like pork bacon in pizzas, burgers, pasta, baked potatoes, or as part of a healthy breakfast. The judges noted the great flavour and texture of the product and its nutritional benefits, as well as the menu versatility it gives chefs and recipe developers who want to offer non-meat options to their guests.
In addition to the grand prizes, the judges also gave four special awards:
- Frime SAU of Spain was awarded the Seafood Excellence Global special prize for Convenience for its Tuna Pibil. This ready-to-eat product is made with yellowfin tuna cooked at a low temperature and sauced and shredded, pibil-style, with Mexican aromas and spices
- The Seafood Excellence Global special award for Retail Packaging was presented to Vičiūnai Group for its Cold-smoked Mussels in Chili Oil. The product is made with delicately smoked mussels packed in a zesty oil infused with vibrant chili flavour. The package is completely recyclable
- Isstormur efh of Iceland won the Seafood Excellence Global award for Best Seafood Product Line for its line of unique shelf-stable fish meals. Featuring bold branding and design, the line includes three ethnic-inspired dishes that can be served hot or cold – Hawaiian Salmon Salad, Mackerel with Chickpeas in a spicy Moroccan sauce, and Tuna Risoni
- Vičiūnai Group also won the Seafood Excellence Global award for Innovation for its product Cold-Smoked Salmon Loin with Black Ants
The judges for the 2025 Seafood Excellence Global Awards competition were Paula Merrigan, Purchasing Director, Europe for the Wonderfield Group in the United Kingdom; Raul Cervera,Seafood Purchasing Director for La Sirena stores in Spain; Luca Grosoli, Category Manager for Sodexo Italia; Madeleine Hűffelmann, Private Label Buyer for the Rewe Group in Germany; and Jonathan Rotge, Fresh Fish Buyer for Carrefour stores in France.
Merrigan served as chair of the jury.
Finalists were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation. The judges’ scores were verified by the accounting firm of PwC.
