BUSAN — The southeastern coastal metropolis of Busan has successfully concluded the 24th Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE 24), cementing its reputation as a leading international hub for maritime trade and fisheries innovation.

The three-day exhibition, hosted at BEXCO’s Exhibition Center 1, brought together a record-breaking scale of 535 companies from 32 countries, spanning a massive footprint of 1,300 booths. Exhibitor participation rose by 11.5% compared to the previous year, while public enthusiasm surged, drawing 18,302 visitors—a notable 19.8% year-over-year increase.

Expanding Global Footprint and Trade Volume

Organizers reported robust commercial outcomes, driven by expanded foreign buyer invitations and newly established trade sessions.

International Trade & Exports: Hosted in conjunction with the National Federation of Fisheries Cooperatives and KOTRA, international buyer programs drew 98 delegates from 17 nations. Across 1,306 consultation sessions, trading partners evaluated roughly $85 million in seafood ventures, with 110 preliminary export contracts worth approximately $15 million actively underway.
Domestic Retail & Partnerships: Domestic merchandise planner (MD) sessions saw 24 major retail buyers conduct 333 consultations, generating 599 billion won in business discussions and securing 4.3 billion won in direct contract agreements.
Global Business Aggregate: In total, comprehensive global business meetings facilitated 276 consultations valued at $132.54 million, with $59.93 million in trade agreements currently advancing toward finalization.

Showcasing Regional Specialtities and Innovation

The exhibition floor spanned the full spectrum of marine commerce—ranging from smart aquaculture technology and marine biotechnology to cutting-edge startup investments. Regional identity took center stage through dedicated pavilions celebrating Busan's signature municipal seafood products, such as fresh mackerel and artisanal fish cakes (eomuk), alongside a specialized national pavilion highlighting the premium quality and global competitiveness of Korean dried seaweed (kim).

For the first time, specialized seminars featuring representatives from various seafood-producing nations fostered cross-border dialogue on sustainable industry practices and shared supply-chain insights.

Cultivating Future Industry Leadership

Beyond commercial transactions, BISFE 24 prioritized long-term industry sustainability through a series of high-level forums. Academic and professional gatherings—including the East Asia Sustainable Seafood Forum, the Marine Bio Business Connect Forum, and the Korea Aquaculture Technology Workshop—convened researchers and policymakers to debate emerging trends.

Additionally, the concurrent 10th Marine and Fishery Talent Cultivation Day gathered nearly 1,000 students, academics, and industry leaders to foster critical cross-sector networks aimed at training the next generation of maritime professionals.

"This year's expo successfully demonstrated Busan's growing gravity as a vital nexus for international seafood trade," said Shim Jae-min, Head of Busan City's Maritime Capital Strategy Headquarters. "We remain fully committed to backing our local seafood enterprises with expanded market opportunities and competitive resources, ensuring Busan continues to lead the global marine economy."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]