Stolt Sea Farm shortlisted for the 2026 Seafood Excellence Global Awards with its turbot value-added product

Spanish aquaculture company Stolt Sea Farm has been shortlisted for the Seafood Excellence Global Awards 2026 with its Turbot Steak, reinforcing the presence of Spanish aquaculture in one of the industry’s leading global showcases for seafood innovation.

The awards are part of the Seafood Expo Global 2026, taking place from 21-23 April at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via, where winners will be announced on the opening day.

This year, 38 products from 17 countries have been shortlisted across the retail and HORECA (Hotel, Restaurant and Catering) categories, reflecting key industry trends in value-added products, convenience and new formats.

Beyond turbot, the shortlist shows the growing role of key aquaculture species in high-value product development. Salmon continues to dominate innovation, with a wide range of ready-to-eat and culinary-oriented formats, confirming its status as a global standarised species for value-added processing.

Rainbow trout is also gaining traction, particularly through breaded and ready-to-cook formats that expand its positioning as a flexible alternative within farmed fish.

In crustaceans, shrimp products remain highly relevant, combining convenience with differentiated flavour profiles. Meanwhile, molluscs – particularly oysters – are increasingly positioned as premium, experience-driven products linked to gastronomy.

Overall, the finalists confirm a clear industry direction, with aquaculture innovation increasingly focused on processed products with higher added value, designed to meet growing demand for convenience and performance across both retail and foodservice channels.