News

BACK TO NEWS LIST

FIFCA showcase the Falklands at the Barcelona Seafood Expo 2024

Success at SEG24

 

Not much more than a year ago, I wrote in an article about the Falkland Islands Fishing Companies Association’s attendance at the annual Seafood Expo held in Barcelona. I recall saying that it was the largest show of its kind ever to be held. Now a year on, its hard to conceive that I am now reporting nearly the same again as the Barcelona Seafood show continues to go from strength to strength.

 

The 30th anniversary of the event took place over 3 days last month between the 23rd & 26th April and was the largest in its history bringing the global seafood industry together for face-to-face business on a global scale.

Occupying over 51,000 square metres the event location, (Gran Fira), is estimated to have had an economic impact of over 156 million euros. 

This year’s show was attended by 2,244 exhibiting companies from 87 countries located in national and regional pavilions and brought together the key players, (over 34,000 people) from around the world that included suppliers of seafood, equipment, packaging and services, retail buyers, food service and distribution businesses, importers, government and industry leaders. Among the 2,244 exhibiting companies, 657 exhibited for the first time ever.

Following on from our successful showing at the 2023 Expo, FIFCA were keen to meet or build on that success for this April’s show and FIFCA were represented by 23 delegates from within the Association, all keen to raise the profile of the Industry and the Islands more generally.

Once again we were fortunate enough to be able to showcase some of the Islands’ finest seafood products in the form of Chilli squid, Toothfish bites, assorted ceviche’s and King-clip with an Andalusian twist the recipe for which our returning chef was reluctant to share! We also took along some local liquid refreshments from Falklands Beerworks and Falklands Distillers, all of which went down very well with guests visiting the stand.

 

Like last year, we were keen to promote other areas of Falklands innovation and demonstrate that whilst we are small in stature and remote geographically, we are still able to demonstrate that we are innovative and able to produce world class products.

 

Perhaps understandably, planning, organisation and execution for the 2025 show has already started and FIFCA have expressed to the organisers their intention to be at the event. It has been noticed that as our attendance evolves, so do the activities that take place at the stand, such as the confidence to schedule meetings at our stand between our partners and potential new clients which was good to see.

 

FIFCA would like to thank everyone who assisted in anyway, whether it was through getting our products from the Falklands to Vigo and then into Barcelona to attending the stand and representing the Association as a whole. On a personal note, I would like to thank Argos Group, Beauchene Fishing Company, Bold Ventures, CFL, Dragon Fishing, Fortuna Group, Golden Touza, Polar Seafish, RBC, Seafish Falklands and Sulivan Shipping Services Ltd for their support in making the 2024 Seafood Expo a reality.

 

FIFCA would also like to announce that Michael Poole has resigned his position from the FIFCA Board where he acted as Chair for the past 18 months. Cheryl Roberts has assumed the position as Chair, Alex Reid is now Vice-Chair, with Drew Irvine, Hamish Wylie and Tom Blake making up the full board compliment until such time the next FIFCA AGM takes place. Sincere thanks are extended to Michael Poole for his hard work during his tenure as the FIFCA Chair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recent News