In early October, VLAM organized a B2B mission to the fish department of the international market in Rungis, Paris.
It was the first time that VLAM traveled to Rungis with a group of Flemish fish companies. The aim of the initiative was to get to know the French market better, make direct contact with professional buyers, and explore new commercial opportunities for the Flemish fish sector.
Six Flemish companies participated: Aquamarine-Tradimer, Blue Ocean Seafood, Multi-Fish Frozen, Solea International, Vanafish, and Vlaamse Visveiling. The participants represented a wide range of products, ranging from fresh and smoked fish to frozen fish, crustaceans, and molluscs.
During the visit, the companies were introduced to the operations of Rungis and, specifically, the fish wholesale business. They met with the various French wholesalers there. The contacts provided an opportunity to present the Belgian range and to better understand the needs of the French market.
The fact that we presented our Belgian offering as a group was very special in Rungis; it further highlighted our strengths. For instance, the flexibility of the Flemish fish companies and the ability to adapt our offering to the needs of professional French customers are important assets.
Market context
France is an important market for the Belgian fisheries sector and was, after the Netherlands, the second largest export destination for Belgian fish and shellfish and molluscs in 2025. Belgian exports to France amounted to 50,709 tonnes. Belgium is among the five most important suppliers of shellfish and molluscs in France, with a share of 6%. Belgian exports to France show an upward trend, particularly for fish preparations and preserves, and for shellfish and molluscs.
New contacts and market insights
The mission offered participating companies the opportunity to meet relevant players directly at a key French trading location in a single day. The meetings yielded new contacts and market insights upon which the companies can build. In this way, the initiative contributed to the visibility of Flemish fish products and to the further development of commercial contacts in the French market.
