Now in its fifth year, GSF continues to be one of the world's major specialized forums for the shrimp industry, bringing together farmers, producers and exporters, importers, retailers, feed, genetics and technology companies, researchers, financial institutions and investors.
Speaking at the opening session, Willem van der Pijl, co-founder of the Global Shrimp Forum, emphasized that GSF's core value lies in bringing together people directly involved in the shrimp industry to meet, share experiences and find ways to advance the sector. According to him, each delegate brings a different story to the forum, but all share a common desire to contribute to the industry's development.
Bringing the entire supply chain together
GSF 2026 has attracted around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing 300 companies and organizations. The event is supported by around 52 sponsors, 25 of which have been involved with GSF for at least four editions.
One notable feature is the diversity of participants. The forum brings together not only producers, but also importers, retailers, investors and experts from outside the shrimp industry. This diversity allows discussions to extend beyond production to cover markets, consumer trends, finance, technology and broader macroeconomic factors.
The organizers have also placed a strong emphasis on networking, considering it an important part of the forum that enables stakeholders across the value chain to engage directly and explore potential cooperation opportunities.
From the global economy to shrimp markets
The GSF 2026 program focuses on a wide range of issues directly affecting the shrimp industry, including macroeconomic developments, geopolitics, exchange rates, trade, logistics, consumer trends, import markets, feed, technology and the drivers of shrimp demand.
In the opening session, Rabobank experts analyzed the impact of geopolitics, energy, inflation and exchange rates on the shrimp supply chain. Subsequent sessions delved into global shrimp trade, consumer markets and the changes taking place in major producing and importing countries.
A session of particular interest to Vietnam is “The New Vietnam Shrimp Story: Resilience, Responsibility and Premium Potential,” which focuses on the resilience, responsibility and potential for Vietnamese shrimp to develop further in higher-value market segments.
More than just a trade conference
According to the organizers, GSF operates as a non-profit forum. Surplus funds generated by the event are channeled into the Global Shrimp Forum Foundation to support research and projects serving the wider shrimp industry.
Activities undertaken so far include studies on carbon footprints, human rights in the supply chain and the utilization of shrimp by-products, as well as projects focused on mangrove restoration. This year, GSF also introduced a study on the protein market and consumer purchasing behavior conducted by Kantar.
After five years, the Global Shrimp Forum is becoming an important meeting point for the global shrimp industry to share data, stay updated on market developments, connect with partners and work together to address common challenges across the value chain.
For Vietnam, participation in GSF provides an opportunity to gain first-hand insights into emerging trends in the global shrimp market, expand connections with international partners, and showcase the story, capabilities and competitive advantages of Vietnamese shrimp to the global shrimp community.
Kim Thu
(vasep.com.vn) The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) 2026 is taking place from September 1–3 in Utrecht, the Netherlands, bringing together around 585 delegates from 40 countries, representing approximately 300 companies and organizations across the shrimp supply chain. Representatives from VASEP are attending the event as part of the Vietnamese delegation, strengthening connections with partners across the global shrimp industry.
(vasep.com.vn) At the international B2B seminar (Hosted Buyer Program) held as part of Vietfish 2026, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Pham, Sales Director of Tai Kim Anh Seafood Processing Joint Stock Company, delivered a presentation entitled “Vietnam’s Shrimp Industry: Changing for Sustainability.” From the perspective of a seafood processor, the presentation highlighted that Vietnam’s shrimp industry continues to play a leading role in seafood exports, but is entering a new phase of competition in which change is no longer an option, but a prerequisite for growth.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) VIETFISH 2026 may have concluded after three dynamic days in Ho Chi Minh City, but conversations around the exhibition continue to resonate across international trade media, industry organizations, and the social media channels of participating companies.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s tilapia industry is maintaining strong growth momentum, with significant room for further expansion in the coming years. In 2025, total tilapia production reached approximately 420,000 tonnes, up 33% from 2024 and 2.2 times higher than in 2015. During 2015–2025, production grew at an average annual rate of around 8.4%. As production and exports continue to expand, food safety control is receiving increasing attention to ensure product quality, meet the increasingly stringent requirements of international markets, and provide a foundation for the sustainable development of Vietnam’s tilapia industry.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) On the afternoon of August 19, 2026, as part of the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026, the Hosted Buyer Program continued with the seminar “Vietnam Seafood Outlook 2026–2027: A Strategic Sourcing Destination,” followed by 1-to-1 B2B meetings between international buyers and Vietnamese seafood businesses.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Speaking at the Opening Ceremony of VIETFISH 2026 on August 19 at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC), U.S. Consul General Melissa Brown highlighted the important role of the exhibition in connecting Vietnam’s growing seafood industry with buyers, suppliers, and partners from the United States and around the world.
(vasep.com.vn) Tomorrow, August 19, 2026, the Vietnam International Seafood Exhibition – Vietfish 2026 will officially open at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) in Ho Chi Minh City. Taking place over three days, from August 19–21, Vietfish 2026 promises to provide a dynamic platform for business networking, trend updates, product experiences and comprehensive cooperation across the domestic and international seafood community.
(vasep.com.vn) The global tilapia market continues to grow, creating significant opportunities for countries with strengths in aquaculture, processing, and exports. Against this backdrop, Vietnam’s tilapia industry is gradually developing toward higher quality, greater product diversification, and broader market reach. At Vietfish 2026, the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), together with the VASEP Tilapia Producers and Exporters Club, will host a joint booth to promote the image and potential of Vietnamese tilapia to domestic and international buyers.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) Vietnam’s seafood exports are heading towards $12 billion this year, potentially the highest level on record. Yet one of the country’s export strengths is facing a growing list of challenges.
(seafood.vasep.com.vn) The first six months of 2026 indicate that Vietnam’s tilapia industry is entering a new phase of development, with strong export growth but also greater demands for production scale, quality and international competitiveness.
VASEP - HIỆP HỘI CHẾ BIẾN VÀ XUẤT KHẨU THỦY SẢN VIỆT NAM
Chịu trách nhiệm: Ông Nguyễn Hoài Nam - Phó Tổng thư ký Hiệp hội
Đơn vị vận hành trang tin điện tử: Trung tâm VASEP.PRO
Trưởng Ban Biên tập: Bà Phùng Thị Kim Thu
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