© Pierre Banoori Photography
Alongside core sessions on trade statistics and feed ingredients, the event will feature an opening focused on geopolitics and a closing session exploring agentic artificial intelligence. The 2026 programme includes a broad range of topics, ranging from an investment session focusing on the Ecuadorian aquaculture industry to a buyers and sellers summit analysing the details of the India-EU free trade agreement.
Other highlights include a deep dive into the EU retail landscape, guided by research commissioned by the Global Shrimp Forum Foundation (GSFF) and conducted by market research company Circana. The research will explore consumer motivations for choosing shrimp, providing robust data on purchase drivers, perceptions and barriers, based on insights from 15,000 respondents in France and Germany. In light of volatility in the Middle East, a keynote presented by Philip Gray, senior associate at Drewry Shipping Consultants, will be followed by a panel discussion focusing on shipping logistics, availability and cost. Gray will be joined on stage by Thue Barfod, seafood director at Maersk, and Richard Houtkamp, manager at Share Logistics.
Keynote speakers scheduled to present during the programme include:
- Jan Lambregts, head RaboResearch global economics & markets at Rabobank
- Philip Gray, senior associate at Drewry Shipping Consultants
- Ananda Roy, senior vice president at Circana
- Remy Gieling, co-founder at The AI Group
- Andrew Moskos, co-founder at Boom Chicago
Global Shrimp Forum managing director, Willem van der Pijl, said in a press release: “Each year we try to put together our most ambitious, informative and enjoyable programme yet, and this year has been no different. There are, of course, things we come back to each year which our audience seems to enjoy and find informative, as well as challenges or trends which are particular to the moment we are facing. We want to cover as many bases as we can in the three days we spend together in Utrecht, without compromising on quality and detail, and I’m confident that we have done that.”
While the programme features numerous technical sessions, it also incorporates increased opportunities for connection and networking. This year, the forum will also be more accessible than ever, with AI-powered solution, Speaksee, allowing delegates to experience sessions in the language of their choosing, as both a speech-to-text or speech-to-speech solution.
Van der Pijl added “Each year people come from all over the world for three intense days of sharing and learning. We’re delighted that this year our guests can experience the programme in their own language through the Speaksee solution. It’s our fifth anniversary this year so as well as the most ambitious programme yet, we’re also dialling up the fun stuff, and for those who are joining us for the fifth year running, either as a sponsor or a delegate, we will be showing our appreciation with a special fifth anniversary gift!”
You can view the full programme and purchase tickets on the Global Shrimp Forum’s website.
