Global Shrimp Forum 2025 to spotlight innovation and sustainability with record diversity and new climate report
The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) has unveiled the full programme for its 2025 edition, set to take place in Utrecht, Netherlands, from 2nd to 4th September. As the leading annual gathering for the global shrimp industry, this fourth iteration is expected to draw approximately 500 stakeholders, including farmers, processors, importers, retailers, investors, innovators, and non-profit representatives. The event aims to facilitate collaboration across the entire shrimp value chain, addressing shared challenges and exploring new opportunities for sustainable growth.
The 2025 programme features more than 110 confirmed participants, including 24 women, reflecting a growing diversity within the sector. Willem van der Pijl, GSF Managing Director, emphasised the sector's current landscape: "The shrimp industry continues to face complex challenges, but also incredible opportunities for transformation." He noted that the symposium’s schedule balances expert insights, innovative ideas, and critical market data designed to help attendees make informed decisions toward a resilient and responsible future.
The forum's opening plenary session will focus on two pivotal themes. Firstly, an examination of global political and macroeconomic factors shaping the industry landscape, including a discussion on U.S. trade tariffs with insights from specialists like Jan Lambregts of Rabobank and Angel Rubio from Urner Barry. Secondly, the session will review the sector's innovation and sustainability status, featuring contributions from representatives of the Aquaculture Stewardship Council and investment leaders. This will include a timely debate on the constraints and conditions for making green claims in shrimp marketing, reflecting the heightened scrutiny of sustainability assertions in consumer markets.
Trade and market dynamics remain central to the GSF programme. The popular "Export and Import Statistics: Market Outlook 2025" session will delve into global shrimp trade flows and pricing trends from the vantage point of major players, including prominent importers such as Chicken of the Sea and Maruha Nichiro, as well as exporters like Viet Uc and the Seafood Exporters Association of India. The forum will also provide detailed regional analyses focused on key producers Vietnam, Mexico, and Brazil, with insights from agribusiness giants Cargill and ADM, alongside consumer market commentary from regional seafood exporters.
Innovation will be highlighted across two dedicated tracks: "Shrimp x Tech x Innovation." One track will explore AI and automation advancements in processing and by-product valorisation, featuring the launch of a new study funded by GSF Futures Fund and presentations from pioneering start-ups and engineering firms. This focus on converting shrimp waste into value-added products signals both financial and sustainability imperatives in an industry battling margin pressures. The other track, "Farm Optimization," will showcase cutting-edge digital farming tools and precision technologies presented by emerging tech companies, supported by AQ1 and the International Finance Corporation, demonstrating how tech integration is reshaping shrimp farming operations.
Investment trends in aquaculture will be scrutinised in the Finance & Investment Summit, which brings together executives from Nutreco, Inve Aquaculture, SyAqua, and Mitsui. A panel comprising Rabobank, SF Investments, and Ocean 14 Capital will discuss strategies to attract sustainable, long-term funding into the shrimp sector.
The forum will culminate with a Plenary Climate Summit featuring the launch of a comprehensive report on emissions within the shrimp supply chain. Darian McBain, former Chief Sustainability Officer of Thai Union, will chair discussions focused on financing emissions reductions and aligning industry actions with global climate objectives. Complementing the forum’s emphasis on solutions and storytelling, an exclusive screening of an Emmy-nominated documentary episode, "Hope in the Water," will be presented for sponsors and select guests. This film episode, showcasing renowned contributors such as Shailene Woodley and José Andrés, explores blue-food innovations with potential to nourish both planet and ocean ecosystems.
Efforts to broaden the forum’s accessibility include the provision of simultaneous Chinese and Spanish translations, signalling an intent to enhance international participation. Additionally, the GSF has placed an increased focus on retail sector engagement, including a dedicated session on "De-risking the Seafood Supply Chain," aimed at addressing social and environmental risks.
With a comprehensive and ambitious agenda, the 2025 Global Shrimp Forum aims to foster dialogue across borders and sectors, driving forward innovation, sustainability, and resilience in the shrimp industry. As van der Pijl concluded, “We believe that open dialogue, shared data, and bold innovation are the keys to building a stronger, more sustainable shrimp industry. We can’t wait to welcome our community to Utrecht this September.”