Barcelona, Spain – (21 April 2026) Vičiūnai Group of Lithuania and Frais Embal of France took the top prizes in the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards at Seafood Expo Global, the world’s largest seafood trade event. The winners were selected from a field of 35 finalists and were announced this evening at a special Seafood Excellence Global Awards reception. The competition recognizes the best products exhibited at Seafood Expo Global.
The top award for Best Retail Product was presented to Vičiūnai Group for its entry, Smoked Herring Slices – Natural Flavor. This product is made with simple ingredients and is ready to eat directly from the package with a clean, natural smoky taste. The judges noted the well-balanced herring and smoke flavors, the beautiful slicing and packing of the product, and the eye-catching packaging design.
Frais Embal won the grand prize for Best HORECA (hotel/restaurant/catering) Product for its entry, Salmon Roll. This product is a precisely sliced, thin rectangle of fresh salmon perfect for sushi rolls and other culinary applications. Packed in modified atmosphere packaging, the product offers consistent portions and streamlined preparation to improve restaurant operations and the customers’ dining experience.
In addition to the grand prizes, the judges also gave four special awards:
Lerøy Seafood Group of Norway was awarded the Seafood Excellence Global special prize for Convenience for its Fish Taco Sticks. Boldly flavored with a signature jalapeño and lime spice blend, these fish sticks are made with Atlantic saithe coated in a crunchy gluten-free breading. They are designed to make it easy to add fish to family taco night.
The Seafood Excellence Global special award for Retail Packaging was presented to Sykes Seafood Limited of the United Kingdom for its product Argentinian Red Shrimp with Chimichurri Butter. The product pairs Argentinian red shrimp with a vibrant herb and crushed chili butter. The product is packed in a simple recyclable aluminum tray perfect for the recommended oven cooking method. The package is completed with an attractive cardboard sleeve showing the finished product on the front and detailed consumer information on the back.
Iceco Fish of Lithuania won the Seafood Excellence Global award for Best Seafood Product Line for its line of herring tartares. The products are made with finely chopped premium Atlantic herring expertly balanced with other high-quality ingredients. The line includes original, Scandinavian, and herb flavors and is packed in recyclable tubs with cardboard sleeves in a bold modern design.
Reunimer of Reunion Island won the Seafood Excellence Global award for Innovation for its product Marlin Gravelax. This product offers a refined interpretation of the Nordic curing technique applied to firm, lean marlin fillets. The fish is delicately cured with sea salt, sugar, fresh dill, and spices resulting in a dense, silky texture and a beautiful translucent pink hue.
The winners of the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global awards were chosen from a field of 35 finalists representing 16 countries around the globe. The winners and finalists are on display in the Galleria, between Halls 4 and 5 at Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, which runs now through 23 April.
The judges for the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards competition were Raül Cervera, Seafood Purchasing Director for La Sirena stores in Spain; Madeleine Hüffelmann, Private Label Buyer for the Rewe Group in Germany; Damien Bocahu, Seafood Buyer for Picard Surgelés in France and Percy Addo, Procurement Manager for Wonderfield Group in the UK. Mr. Cervera served as chair of the jury.
The Seafood Excellence Global finalists were judged on taste and overall eating experience, packaging, marketability, convenience, nutritional value, and innovation. The judges’ scores were verified by the accounting firm of PwC.
Photos of the winners can be viewed here.
About Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global
Seafood Expo Global and Seafood Processing Global make up the world’s largest seafood trade show. Thousands of buyers and sellers from around the world attend the three-day annual event to meet, connect, and do business. Buyers include importers, exporters, wholesalers, restaurants, supermarkets, hotels, and other companies in the retail and foodservice sectors. Exhibitors showcase the latest innovations in seafood products, processing and packaging machinery, and services for the seafood industry. SeafoodSource.com is the official media . The organizer is Diversified, the international leader in seafood events and media. www.seafoodexpo.com/global
About Diversified
Diversified is a global B2B events and media company that strengthens business communities by fostering a space, in person and online, for professionals and businesses to connect and grow. The company serves as a trusted partner across several industries including active lifestyle, business management, clean energy, commercial marine, healthcare, seafood, technology and more. The company’s global seafood portfolio of expositions and media includes Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America, Seafood Expo Global/Seafood Processing Global, Seafood Expo Asia/Seafood Processing Asia and SeafoodSource.com. Established in 1949 and headquartered in Portland, Maine, the global company has divisions and offices around the world in Australia, Canada, Hong Kong and the United Kingdom. Diversified is a third-generation, family-owned business. For more information, visit: www.divcom.com.
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