Salón Gourmets and Seafood Expo Global set the pace for international food expansion

While Salón Gourmets Madrid closed its doors in IFEMA, the focus of the sector shifted to Seafood Expo Global en BarcelonaTwo consecutive quotes that confirm a clear trend: Trade fairs are no longer just showcases, but strategic platforms for internationalization.

 

In a context marked by cost pressures, the need to diversify markets, and increasingly intense global competition, these meetings have become one of the few spaces where companies can directly measure their international positioning.

 

Salón GourmetsPositioning, brand, and added value

 

En Madrid, Salón Gourmets It once again established itself as the great European showcase for premium products. More than 2.000 exhibitors and nearly 100.000 international professionals They confirmed the growing interest in food with identity, quality and traceability.

 

Indicator Salón Gourmets	Detailed Figure
Exhibitors	More than
International Professionals	Approximately 100.000

 

Categories such as extra virgin olive oil, Iberian ham, and single-vineyard wines continue to lead demand, especially in segments where Competing on value, not price, makes all the difference..

 

This translates into a clear change in the profile of the international buyer, who is looking not only for the product, but also for the story, origin and differentiation. España It still has an advantage in this area, but competition in the premium segment is increasingly fierce. However, the real value lies not only in the product itself, but also in what happens around it: meetings, market validation, and the generation of real opportunities. As could be seen with the participation of Gedeth Network, Success depends not only on being present, but on doing so with a clear strategy..

 

Seafood Expo GlobalGlobal competition and new rules of the game

 

En Barcelona, Seafood Expo Global gathered more than 30.000 professionals from 150 countriesconsolidating itself as the main global meeting point for the fishing sector.

 

Indicator Seafood Expo Global	Detailed Figure
Professionals	More than
Countries Represented	150

 

Here, a small business can connect with buyers in a matter of hours. Europa, Asia u Oriente MedioBut it is also an environment where the demands are extremely high: Sustainability, traceability, and regulatory compliance are no longer differentiators, but entry requirements..

 

Added to this is an increasingly demanding European regulatory environment, where aspects such as environmental footprint, transparency in the supply chain or control of origin are marking real market access.

 

In this scenario, the presence of countries like Corea del Sur, which is positioning K-Fish en Europa with a strategy based on technology, control, and quality. Their presence at international trade fairs is not the result of isolated actions, but rather a coordinated strategy to gain market share in demanding markets like the European.

 

From the fair to the market

 

The coincidence between both fairs leads to a clear conclusion: opportunities exist, but they don't materialize on their own.

 

Participating in these events allows accelerate business processes, validate proposals and access new marketsBut the result doesn't depend on the fair itself, but also on how things are done before and after.

 

Access is there, but it's becoming increasingly selective. Having a product is no longer enough; Understanding the market and moving quickly has become crucial..

 

That's where specialized support makes all the difference. From Gedeth Network, through its unit of Food & BeverageWork is focused precisely on that point: converting the potential generated during the fair into real and sustained international growth.

 

Cecilia Levesque Romero
Junior Business Consultant Gedeth Network

 

Key points and frequently asked questions about this analysis

 

Why are international trade fairs no longer considered just showcases?

Because they have become strategic platforms where companies not only showcase products, but also validate their positioning, accelerate business processes, and generate real business opportunities in a competitive global environment.

 

What factors determine access to the European market in the fishing sector today?

Compliance with requirements that were previously differentiated and are now mandatory, such as sustainability, traceability, transparency in the supply chain and control of the environmental footprint.

 

According to the expert, what is the most common mistake people make when participating in these events?

Believing that success depends solely on being present. The analysis underlines that real results depend on having a clear strategy and carrying out thorough preparation before and after the trade fair.