The programme for the 2026 Global Shrimp Forum has now been finalised, as the team behind the world’s premier shrimp industry gathering looks to build on four successful editions.
Alongside GSF staples, such as sessions on trade statistics and feed ingredients, and the forum’s opening largely focussing on geopolitics and closing focussing on agentic AI, this year’s programme is set to include a broad range of topics and perspectives. From an investment session focusing on the Ecuadorean industry, to a buyers and sellers summit looking into the detail of the India-EU free trade agreement, there is set to be something for everyone when the Global Shrimp Forum returns to Utrecht, Netherlands this September.
Other highlights include a deep dive into the EU retail landscape, guided by research which the Global Shrimp Forum Foundation (GSFF) has commissioned leading market research and technology company, Circana, to conduct. 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. Particularly pertinent given the ongoing 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, where Gray will be joined on stage by Thue Barfod, Seafood Director at Maersk, and Richard Houtkamp, Manager at Share Logistics.
Some of the most prestigious keynote speakers that will take the stage 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,
“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 is packed full of sessions, it’s not all work and no play, with this year’s programme incorporating even more moments for connection and socialising than previous years This year, the GSF 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 at www.shrimp-forum.com/programme
