(TheFishSite) BELGIUM – The 20th edition of the European Seafood Exposition (ESE) and 14th edition of Seafood Processing Europe (SPE) will be held in Brussels, Belgium, between Tuesday 24 and Thursday 26 April. These global events will assemble seafood buyers and sellers from throughout the world with over 1,600 companies from more than 70 exhibiting countries.
“The seafood industry is in a constant state of change,” said Mary Larkin, Vice-President of Seafood Expositions for Diversified Business Communications. “These exhibitions offer an excellent opportunity for the international seafood community to meet and learn updated information on what is changing in the industry on a global basis.”
Much of the event’s success and growth may be attributed to the growing popularity of seafood worldwide. According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), seafood consumption worldwide reached an all-time high last year, with an average of nearly 37 pounds per person. In addition, global consumption of fish and seafood has doubled since 1973 and is expected to increase another 25 per cent by 2015.
While the exhibitions are successful in terms of the number of exhibitors and visitors, the significance of these events is further demonstrated through the successful relationships that they help to develop. Research has shown that 85 per cent of visitors who attended the 2011 European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe found new products or companies, and 79 per cent planned on purchasing products or services as a result of attending the event.
Co-located with the European Seafood Exposition is Seafood Processing Europe (SPE), an event that represents every aspect of seafood processing, including Packaging Materials & Equipment, Refrigeration/Freezing Equipment & Supplies, Primary Processing Equipment, Secondary Processing Equipment, Hygiene Control/Sanitation, and Quality Assurance Services.
Seafood Prix d’Elite
Now in its twelfth year, the Seafood Prix d’Elite New Products Competition was created to recognise the best new seafood products of the year developed for the European market. Each year, awards are presented for Best Retail Product and Best Foodservice Product. Special awards are also given at the judges’ discretion in the categories of Convenience, Nutrition and Health, Retail Packaging, Originality, and Best Seafood Product Line. This year’s awards ceremony will be presented at a special reception on 24 April from 6pm to 8pm in Auditorium 2000. All exhibitors and visitors are invited to attend. The winners will also be on display at the exhibition.
For additional details on the 2012 European Seafood Exposition and Seafood Processing Europe, visit www.euroseafood.com or www.europrocessing.com.