© Pierre Banoori
The 2026 Global Shrimp Forum (GSF) is set to combine the successful elements of the previous four conferences with significant structural updates designed to enhance the experience for delegates, speakers and sponsors. Key changes include a redesigned exhibition zone and the relocation of plenary sessions to larger facilities.
Returning by popular demand to deliver the opening plenary will be Jan Lambregts, head of RaboResearch global economics & markets at Rabobank, whose insights on the macroeconomic and geopolitical landscape drew glowing reviews from attendees last year. As the industry continues to wrangle with US tariffs and the volatility in which it operates shows no sign of abating, Lambregts will again provide an expert view on the global picture.
This year’s plenary will also debut a new ‘talk show’ format aimed at fostering more thought-provoking discussion and diverse perspectives on stage.
Agentic AI takes the closing spotlight
The event will conclude with a closing plenary focused on the emerging field of agentic AI. With only a handful of major corporations in the industry beginning to pilot these systems, the closing plenary at GSF 2026, will provide what may be a first opportunity for many to dive into this emerging field, and a selection of leaders from across the value chain will take part in the session, with Remy Gieling, AI and technology expert, and co-founder of ai.nl and The Automation Group; Hemanth Thimmasarthi from Solarpunk, a company applying agentic AI in shrimp processing facilities, and Maarten Bijl from Skretting, one of the world’s largest shrimp feed companies who have been conducting agentic AI trials, taking the stage.
Among a host of other sessions and side events across the three-day programme will be a deep dive into EU import landscape, its retail market and growth opportunities, presented by GSF managing director, Willem van der Pijl, on the back of record figures for EU shrimp imports. The GSF board is also currently in the process of hiring one of the world leaders in retail barcode scanning, which, alongside van der Pijl, will provide an in-depth look at shrimp sales trends in European retail destinations, and how their sales compare to other proteins.
There will also be specialist sessions on the Middle East; the always popular trade statistics presentation, and summits focused on investment, feed, buyers and sellers and responsible sourcing.
Looking ahead to the fifth edition, van der Pijl said in a press release, “We can’t wait to welcome colleagues from all over the world back to Utrecht this September. It’s hard to believe that we’re preparing for our fifth GSF, and its testament to the team and to all of our sponsors, speakers and delegates that we are able to return each year to put on an event which genuinely adds value to the industry.”
Logistical improvements for 2026 include moving the opening and closing plenaries from Oude Gracht to the larger, improved Nieuwe Gracht venue. Additionally, an upgraded simultaneous translation system provided by Speaksee will allow a global audience to follow sessions in the language of their choice via speech-to-text or speech-to-speech technology.
Early bird tickets can be purchased now for €1,300. Once registration is confirmed, delegates can book accommodation at the Van der Valk or the neighbouring Bastion Hotel directly through the Global Shrimp Forum website.
