The Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) has officially unveiled the complete program for its 2025 edition, to be held in Utrecht from September 2-4. As the leading annual conference for the international shrimp industry, the 2025 Forum will bring together around 500 farmers, processors, importers, retailers, investors, innovators, and non-profit organizations from across the globe to tackle pressing challenges and unlock new opportunities in the shrimp sector.
With more than 110 confirmed program participants, 24 of whom are female, the 2025 forum reflects the increasing diversity, dynamism, and ambition of the global shrimp value chain. Looking ahead to the fourth edition of the Global Shrimp Forum, GSF managing director, Willem van der Pijl said that “the shrimp industry continues to face complex challenges, but also incredible opportunities for transformation. With our 2025 program, we’ve brought together top experts, fresh perspectives, and critical market data to help stakeholders make informed decisions and build a more resilient and responsible future through a jam-packed schedule of thought-provoking and conversation-starting sessions.”
This year’s Plenary Opening Session will spotlight two critical themes. First, a sharp look at global politics and macroeconomic forces, including a timely discussion on U.S. trade tariffs, with insights from Jan Lambregts (Rabobank), Angel Rubio (Urner Barry), and Bob de Haan (Shrimp Insights).
Second, an industry-wide check-in on the state of the sector, innovation, and sustainability, with contributions from Bastiaan van Tilburg (Skretting), Lucas de Groot (GRO Investments), and others, including a timely discussion on the limitations and conditions for making green claims in marketing and advertising.
The Export and Import Statistics: Market Outlook 2025 session will feature a deep analysis of global shrimp trade dynamics. With participation from major importers like Chicken of the Sea, Maruha Nichiro, Optimized Integration Group, and Eurotrade, as well as exporters including Viet Uc, the Seafood Exporters Association of India, GLuna Shrimp, and Bumi Menara Internusa, the session will offer an unparalleled 360-degree perspective on trade flows, market pressures, and pricing trends.
Regional deep dives will continue with a focus on Vietnam, Mexico, and Brazil, offering market intelligence and outlooks for growth. In addition to an in-depth conversation with the CEO and vice president of Viet-Uc from Vietnam, attendees will hear strategic overviews from agribusiness leaders like Cargill and ADM, who are deeply engaged in both the Brazilian and Mexican shrimp industries. Rafael Pedrosa of Marfresco Pescados from Brazil and David Castro of Manta Bay Seafood from Mexico will join to discuss consumer markets.
Innovation will take centre stage across two dedicated Shrimp x Tech x Innovation tracks. The first, AI and Automation in Processing and By-Products Valorization, will spotlight the intersection of technology and circularity. This session includes the launch of a new GSFF-funded study on byproduct valorization presented by Melanie Siggs, alongside pitches from Karmic (startup) and a leading chitosan engineering firm. With shrinking margins across the industry, the push to convert waste into value-added products represents both a financial and sustainability imperative.
The second innovation track, Farm Optimization, will feature rapid-fire pitches from pioneering tech firms including Jala, Tomota, ShrimpL, and Kampi. Hosted by AQ1 and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), this session will examine how digital tools, smart farming, and precision technology are transforming operations on the ground.
Investment will also be in the spotlight with the Finance & Investment Summit: Part 2, where representatives from Nutreco, Inve Aquaculture, SyAqua, and Mitsui will offer insight into current trends in aquaculture funding. A panel discussion will follow featuring key players from Rabobank, SF Investments, and Ocean 14 Capital, exploring how to drive long-term investment into sustainable shrimp production.
The forum will conclude with a Plenary Climate Summit, where the Global Shrimp Forum will launch a major new report on emissions in the shrimp supply chain. In a special closing conversation, Darian McBain, former Chief Sustainability Officer of Thai Union, will lead a discussion on how the industry can realistically finance emissions reductions and align with global climate goals. As a special treat for its sponsors and selected guests, the GSF’s opening day will conclude with an exclusive screening of the shrimp-focused episode from Hope in the Water; an Emmy-nominated documentary that explores how blue-food solutions can nourish the planet while revitalizing oceans and inland waters. The episode features renowned contributors like Shailene Woodley, Martha Stewart, Baratunde Thurston, and José Andrés, produced by David E. Kelley and Andrew Zimmern, followed by a fireside chat with Jennifer Bushman, founder of Hope in the Water, and Dr. Loc Tran, a pioneering shrimp farmer from Vietnam featured in the series.
Van der Pijl added that “at its heart, the Global Shrimp Forum is about connection, across borders, sectors, and ideas. As we navigate complex challenges, 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.”
For more details on the program, visit www.shrimp-forum.com.
