The 18th China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo and Cross-strait (Fuzhou) Fisheries Week concluded on the afternoon of June 14 in Fuzhou, Fujian province, marking a successful three-day expo event that delivered strong trade results and vibrant industry engagement.

Crowds fill the exhibition hall at the 18th China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo. [Photo/FZ Evening News]

Despite continuous light rain on the final day, visitor turnout remained high, with exhibition halls packed as attendees took part in a final-day shopping surge.

Exhibitors offered special promotions, creating a lively atmosphere of sales and negotiation.

A standout attraction was a 200-kilogram Spanish bluefin tuna at a Lianjiang enterprise booth, where chefs performed on-site cutting and packaging, drawing significant public attention.

First-time participants from Yunnan province also attracted interest by showcasing specialty agricultural products such as high-altitude potatoes and unique pumpkin varieties, highlighting the expo's expanding regional diversity.

Visitors browse and shop at the Russian National Pavilion during the 18th China (Fuzhou) International Seafood & Fisheries Expo. [Photo/FZ Evening News]

International participation was particularly strong this year. The Russian National Pavilion reported active business engagement, noting that its products are supplied through official China-Russia cooperation channels. Its retail brand in Fuzhou has already established outlets across major commercial districts. During the expo, the pavilion secured multiple long-term cooperation agreements with distributors from Shanghai and Tianjin, further strengthening cross-border seafood trade connections.

The event brought together over 500 enterprises from more than 30 countries, setting new records in scale, exhibitor participation, and product variety. Serving as an important platform for showcasing fisheries development, the expo facilitated global resource exchange, deeper industry collaboration, and cultural promotion of marine cuisine. New initiatives included the inaugural Fuzhou Seafood Hotpot Festival, a youth chef cooking competition, and the rollout of consumer vouchers to encourage public participation and seafood consumption.

At the closing ceremony, 140 "Gold Award Enterprises" and 324 "Gold Award Products" were recognized, underscoring the sector's focus on quality improvement and brand building.

The successful hosting of the expo highlights Fuzhou's long-standing leadership in China's marine economy. The city's fisheries output has ranked first nationwide for 31 consecutive years, while its marine GDP leads Fujian province and remains among the highest in China. With 12 nationally recognized geographical indication seafood products and multiple national honors, Fuzhou continues to strengthen its role as a key hub for marine industry innovation and international cooperation.