© Pierre Banoori
Scheduled for 2 to 4 September, the forum returns to Utrecht at a pivotal moment for shrimp producers, processors, retailers and investors – as reflected by the agenda.
“This year, it’s not just about production,” says Willem van der Pijl, managing director of the event. “We’re taking a whole-value-chain approach. From tariffs to traceability, retail regulation to R&D – it’s a packed programme designed to address the most pressing issues head-on.”
Cautious optimism
The backdrop to this year’s forum is a market showing early signs of recovery – but also weighed down by global uncertainty. “There’s cautious optimism,” says van der Pijl. “Prices have improved. Some countries are stabilising. But everyone’s watching what happens with the US tariffs, especially the decision expected 9 July”, when the US is due to make a final decision on its tariff levels.
Countries like Vietnam and Indonesia, already squeezed by competition from Ecuador and India, could face existential threats if tariffs are reinstated. “It could drastically reshape supply chains,” van der Pijl warns. “Producers might shift to domestic markets or cut output altogether.”
Meanwhile, new EU regulations on antibiotics in animal products could restrict market access for countries like India and Indonesia if compliance isn’t achieved in time. “The clock is ticking,” van der Pijl says. “We’re organising a session with EU regulators and Indian exporters to discuss this directly.”
A packed agenda and an early start
Although the official opening of the forum isn’t until 4.30 pm on 2 September, the action begins first thing in the morning.
“It’s a crazy day,” van der Pijl reflects. “The Tuesday has grown into a full day of side events and sector-specific seminars.”
The day kicks off with the Marine Stewardship Council’s wild-caught shrimp seminar, examining the sustainability and certification of wild-caught shrimp markets. In parallel, the Global Shrimp Council will hold its board meeting and, for the first time, GSF will host a closed-door retailer summit.
“This year, we’re bringing together 10 to 15 major seafood retailers for a pre-competitive discussion on green claims and human rights due diligence,” says van der Pijl. Topics will include advertising risks around sustainability and the development of grievance mechanisms.
“We’ve even allocated €40,000 to a collaborative project the group agrees on — a real incentive for action,” he adds.
Other Tuesday highlights include an ASC-hosted inclusive supply chain seminar and a Global Shrimp Council outreach event aimed at expanding membership. “The council has grown to nearly 100 members from over 12 producing countries,” van der Pijl notes. “But the goal is 200 – we need that scale to fund effective global marketing campaigns.”
Tuesday evening marks the official opening, with an agenda designed to reflect the industry’s geopolitical and economic realities.
“We start with what’s keeping everyone up at night: macroeconomics and global politics,” says van der Pijl. Rabobank’s chief economist, Jan Lambregts, returns to provide a global outlook, followed by a critical analysis of US tariff dynamics from Ángel Rubio of Urner Barry and Bob DeHaan from the National Fisheries Institute.
“This issue is hijacking long-term planning across the sector,” van der Pijl explains. “Everyone is waiting for clarity on tariffs before they can make big decisions.”
Following the economic insights, Skretting CEO Bastiaan van Tilburg will offer a “state of the industry” address, analysing supply and demand trends in Latin America and Asia. He’ll then speak about innovation and sustainability strategies, and will be joined by a major retailer, notes van der Pijl.
The plenary will close with a timely panel on green claims, featuring advertising law expert Lucas de Groot from Taylor Wessing. “Retailers want to communicate their impact. But what’s legal? What’s not? We’ll address that directly,” says van der Pijl.
© Kurt Servin
Showcasing innovation in unlikely places
One of the defining features of GSF 2025 is its increased focus on innovation in processing. “We’re bringing attention to the parts of the value chain that don’t always get the spotlight,” says van der Pijl.
One session will explore AI, automation, and the valorisation of shrimp byproducts, in which Melanie Siggs will present preliminary results of a GSF-funded study into the reuse of shrimp shells and heads – in applications ranging from bioplastics to animal feed.
“Processors are facing margin pressure,” van der Pijl explains. “They need new revenue streams and shrimp waste is a goldmine of untapped potential.”
Spotlight on Mexico, Brazil… and China
GSF will feature deep dives into underrepresented but strategically significant markets, including Brazil and Mexico. “These are among the world’s top 10 shrimp producers, but because they don’t export much, they’re often overlooked,” van der Pijl says.
Representatives from ADM and Cargill will discuss production trends in these countries, while local market experts will explain why domestic demand in both countries continues to outpace supply. “It’s not just about output – it’s about internal consumption and future potential,” says van der Pijl.
Another highlight for van der Pijl is a dedicated session on China, bolstered by a delegation of 30 to 40 Chinese stakeholders. “For the first time, we’re offering simultaneous Chinese translation,” says van der Pijl. “It means we’ll hear more directly from Chinese industry leaders about their domestic market, production dynamics and demand for imported shrimp.”
The future of feed
With feed accounting for up to 70 percent of production costs, this year’s Future of Feed Formulation plenary is one of the most anticipated events.
“We’re looking at performance, sustainability, and innovation,” says van der Pijl.
Ivo Lansbergen, president of DSM Animal Nutrition, will deliver the keynote for the session.
“He’ll speak about emissions, novel ingredients, and lessons from poultry and livestock sectors,” explains van der Pijl. Lansbergen will be joined by experts from ASC, DSM, and feed producers from Latin America and Asia.
“Most feed companies don’t want to talk about formulation. But Ivo will dive into that – the very core of what makes feed effective and sustainable,” says van der Pijl.
The documentary series includes profiles of scallop and shrimp farms and will be given its European premiere at GSF
A European premiere
GSF will also host the European premiere of the Emmy-nominated Hope in the Water documentary series. “We’re thrilled to screen the shrimp segments, and we’ll have producer Jennifer Bushman and Vietnamese shrimp farmer Dr Loc Tran with us to discuss the impact,” van der Pijl says. “Storytelling has a huge role in shaping consumer perception and industry reputation.”
Welfare, antibiotics and climate
Thursday’s Responsible Sourcing track will delve into shrimp welfare and antibiotic alternatives, with presentations on vaccines, phages and probiotics.
“There’s real momentum in developing antibiotic alternatives – but is it scalable? That’s what we want to understand,” says van der Pijl.
The session will also explore shrimp stunning, with Optimar and Ace presenting the science and tech behind electrical stunning solutions. “Is it science-based or NGO-driven? That’s up for debate. But if stunning becomes the norm, the industry needs to be ready,” he adds.
Climate action will also take centre stage. “We’ve commissioned a major emissions study to be released just before the forum,” says van der Pijl. “It’s a roadmap for any company looking to reduce its carbon footprint – a consolidated guide to all the existing research and best practices.”
The final day also features the finance and investment summit, with C-suite speakers from Nutreco, Mitsui and Inve, as well as venture capital voices like Ocean 14’s Piers Larkin and investor Martin Smith.
Two innovation sessions – on farm optimisation and indoor shrimp production – will feature companies like Tomota, Jala, AQ1 and White Panther. “These are technologies pushing the boundaries,” says van der Pijl. “We want to highlight their potential, but also their scalability and funding models.”
Shrimp on the menu
The good news for seafood lovers is that delegates will have ample opportunity to sample shrimp.
“The welcome reception is a true global shrimp showcase,” says van der Pijl. “You’ll find shrimp from Ecuador, India, Australia, Venezuela – served in every style imaginable. It’s delicious, and it reminds everyone why we do what we do.”
