Seafood Expo Hooks Record Catch for U.S. Exporters
![U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Ronald Gidwitz visits with exhibitors in the USA Pavilion on opening day of Seafood Expo Global 2019. U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium Ronald Gidwitz visits with exhibitors in the USA Pavilion on opening day of Seafood Expo Global 2019.](/sites/default/files/styles/wysiwyg/public/2019-07/amb_gidwitz_touring_us_pavilion_at_seg_2019.jpg?itok=51MT73Wq)
U.S. seafood was in high demand at Seafood Expo Global (SEG), generating record 12-month projected sales exceeding $1.2 billion. SEG is the largest seafood trade event in the world and held annually in Brussels, Belgium.
This year’s show welcomed more than 1,900 exhibitors and 29,000 buyers from 78 countries. The U.S. seafood industry had a strong presence with 43 companies exhibiting in the USA Pavilion, many representing the Southern U.S. Trade Association, Food Export USA Northeast and the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute. U.S. exhibitors introduced 92 new products and buyers were particularly interested in those featuring scallops, lobster, squid, salmon, black cod and sablefish.
The European Union is the second-largest international market, after China, for U.S. seafood exports. Customers in the region have a strong affinity for U.S. seafood thanks to its high quality, versatility, and the industry’s commitment to sustainable fishing methods. Information about next year’s show, to be held April 21-23, 2020, is available at https://www.seafoodexpo.com/global/.