The Alaska seafood companies that exhibited at last week’s Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, Belgium, reported strong international sales ahead of what is expected to be a big summer for the state’s vaunted salmon runs.
On-site sales were estimated at more than USD 44 million (EUR 40.1 million), and producers project sales for the next 12 months to exceed USD 650 million (EUR 592 million) as a result of exhibiting at the show, according to a press release from the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute (ASMI).
“The Brussels show is always valuable to Alaska’s seafood producers. Not only do we make critical sales there, but we are there to represent the always-popular Alaska brand,” said Cassandra Squibb, chief marketing officer for Copper River Seafoods in Anchorage.
Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global is the world’s largest seafood trade event. More than 25,000 buyers, suppliers, media, and other seafood professionals from 150 countries in attendance.
“World interest in our fish is as strong as ever, which is especially gratifying considering the strong dollar and disruption in Russia and Ukraine" said Tom Sunderland, VP-marketing and communications at Ocean Beauty Seafoods in Seattle.
“The international markets have an ever-growing demand for Alaska’s wild sustainable seafood. It’s important that we represent Alaska at these trade shows both to develop the sales that keep the industry in business and to maintain our leadership seat at the table in the bigger picture of the world’s sustainable fisheries,” said ASMI Executive Director Michael Cerne.
