A Paris round for Argentine seafood
Karina Milei, secretary general of the Presidency, took part on Friday in Paris in a business round between 14 Argentine exporters of fishery products and potential French buyers. The activity aimed to expand sales of shrimp and scallops in France, one of Europe's main destinations for the sector. The meeting, called Argentina B2B Week, was organized by PromArgentina within Argentina Week, the official investment-promotion agenda the government is carrying out in France. The delegation was led by President Javier Milei and included national officials, governors and businesspeople from various sectors.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
The round linked representatives of the Argentine companies with local importers through direct meetings. According to PromArgentina, the goal was to identify commercial opportunities and reduce the role of intermediaries in the entry of fishery products into the European market. The activity included participation by the Federal Fisheries Council (CFP), the Chamber of Owners of Fishing and Freezing Vessels of Argentina (CAPeCA), the Argentine Patagonian Chamber of Fishing Industries (CAPIP), the Foreign Ministry and the Argentine Embassy in France.[S1][S4]
France's shrimp market and Argentina's scallop lead
France imports around USD 850 million in shrimp annually, according to data released during the mission. The government places it as the world's fifth market, behind the United States, China, Spain and Japan. A predominant share of that demand is covered by farmed crustaceans. Argentine companies sought to position wild-caught shrimp on the strength of its traceability and sustainability conditions. National exports of that product generated USD 1 billion in 2025, according to PromArgentina.[S1][S2][S3][S4]
In the case of scallops, Argentina already ranks first among France's suppliers and provides more than 40 percent of imported volume, according to the statement. The trade mission sought to sustain that share and increase shrimp sales. Agustín de la Fuente, president of CAPIP, said the joint work made it possible to present the Argentine fishery offer and open negotiation channels. Eduardo Boiero, head of CAPeCA, said the meetings served to show importers the characteristics of Argentine-origin shrimp and scallops.[S1][S4]
Mercosur-EU deal and a tested format
The Mercosur-European Union agreement, which entered into force this year according to official information, improved access conditions for part of the Argentine fishery offer. Frozen scallops obtained immediate tariff elimination, while shrimp will see a gradual tariff reduction to zero. PromArgentina applied in Paris a meeting scheme it had already used in the United States to promote beef. According to the entity, that model helped fill in nine months the 100,000-ton quota enabled by Donald Trump's administration at the beginning of 2026.[S1][S3]
