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Busan Metropolitan City Successfully Concludes the “2025 23rd Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo,” Strengthening Its Status as a Global Seafood Trade Exhibition

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Park Heong-joon) announced that the “2025 23rd Busan International Seafood & Fisheries Expo (BISFE 2025),” held from November 5 to 7, successfully concluded its three-day program.

This year’s Expo featured 480 participating companies from 30 countries and operated 1,200 exhibition booths, marking a substantial expansion compared to last year’s event (380 companies from 22 countries, 1,062 booths). With this growth, the Expo strengthened its standing as the nation’s largest specialized seafood trade exhibition.

A total of 15,281 visitors attended the Expo over the three days, representing a 15.4 percent increase from the previous year (13,241 visitors), demonstrating strong engagement and interest from attendees.

The 2025 Expo presented a wide range of programs encompassing the entire seafood industry, including seafood products, equipment, smart aquaculture, startup and investment, and academic and exchange activities.

At the event’s diverse exhibition halls—including the Seafood Products Hall, Smart Aquaculture Hall, International Hall, Startup & Investment Support Hall, and Special Exhibition Hall—480 domestic and international companies showcased their technologies and products. Notably, Ecuador and Honduras, participating for the first time, introduced whiteleg shrimp; Azerbaijan presented caviar from sturgeon; and Greece featured olive oil tuna products, all of which drew significant attention from visitors.

Various programs such as the Global Business Consultation, the Overseas Buyer Invitation Consultation, and the Large–Small Business Networking Day (Matching Day) facilitated active business exchanges during the event.

Visitor participation programs, including seafood tasting events and the Aquascape Competition, also received an enthusiastic response. In particular, the tasting corner connected to the Seafood Mutual Benefit Discount Support Program gathered high visitor interest as attendees sampled products from participating companies.

The Expo played a meaningful role in supporting seafood companies seeking to expand into overseas markets by facilitating export-driven business outcomes through the Global Business Consultation and the Overseas Buyer Invitation Consultation sessions held during the event.

A total of 1,342 export consultations were conducted during the Expo, amounting to approximately USD 194 million in potential business. Of these, 168 consultations moved forward toward contract negotiations, generating an anticipated value of USD 70 million. These achievements contributed significantly to advancing international market opportunities and strengthening global competitiveness for domestic seafood companies.

The event also incorporated environmentally friendly exhibition practices aimed at reducing carbon emissions and increasing recyclability. Printed promotional materials such as leaflets were minimized, while digital tools—including mobile guides and unmanned kiosks—were actively utilized to reduce resource consumption. In addition, PET material X-banners used inside the exhibition hall were replaced with cardboard standees, promoting low-carbon operations and enhanced recyclability.

Park Geun-rok, Director General of the Oceans, Agriculture and Fisheries Bureau, stated, “This year’s Expo played a vital role in reinvigorating the sluggish seafood industry and served as a gateway for expanding international exchanges and export channels, firmly establishing itself as a truly global seafood exhibition.” He added, “We will continue expanding environmentally friendly initiatives and actively supporting local seafood companies in entering overseas markets, helping Busan rise as the world’s central city for the seafood industry.”