Conxemar breaks its all-time record with 30,405 visitors and over 800 exhibitors

• The 26th edition of the International Exhibition has grown in all respects and consolidates Vigo as the world capital of frozen seafood products
• The president of Conxemar, Eloy García, insists on the urgent need for expansion: ‘We need the authorities to keep pace with the growth of this industry’
• Every 6,000 square metres of unmet demand represents a loss of €20 million in economic impact for the Vigo area

The International Frozen Seafood Exhibition (Conxemar) has closed its 26th edition with a new record after reaching 30,405 visitors, representing growth of more than 12% compared to last year, and exceeding 800 exhibitors for the first time – a total of 812 compared to 766 in 2024 – from 46 countries.

The event once again filled the entire space available at the Vigo Exhibition Centre (IFEVI), consolidating its position as one of the world’s leading events in the sector and an unmissable event for companies, buyers and distributors in the frozen food and aquatic protein sector.

‘Growth is general and sustained across all indicators: visitors, exhibitors, floor space, parallel activity and media coverage,’ said Conxemar president Eloy García, who stressed that ‘the assessment could not be more positive’.

However, he called on the authorities ‘to keep pace with the growth of this industry’. ‘We have reached a physical limit: we lack space, access and parking,’ he added.

Unmet demand

Eloy García pointed out that the fair currently has an unmet demand of around 6,000 square metres in the frozen fish sector alone. ‘If we add the sectors that want to join, such as preserves and fresh-cut products, the figure would be much higher,’ he stressed.

According to data from a study carried out by the Ardán Chair at the University of Vigo and the Free Trade Zone Consortium, every 6,000 square metres that are not available represent a loss of €20 million in economic impact for the Vigo metropolitan area.

The study, which is awaiting its latest update, also highlights that the International Exhibition generates 6,500 jobs and a turnover of €847 million each year, of which €235 million is in the Vigo area alone.

Expanding international showcase

During the three days of the fair, Conxemar once again brought together the world’s leading companies in the fields of frozen fish, aquaculture, distribution and processing.

In addition to the usual international delegations, this year saw the participation of new exhibiting countries and numerous reverse missions organised in collaboration with ICEX, chambers of commerce and IGAPE, thus reinforcing the global profile of the event.

The event also saw an increase in the number of presentations, business meetings and parallel activities, with the participation of the FAO, the European Market Observatory for Fisheries and Aquaculture Products (EUMOFA) and various international agencies.

The final day also included a concert by the local band Malfinde, winner of the Conxemar Fest Fish & Hits competition, which was launched last year with the aim of promoting emerging Galician artists.