Entrepreneurial spirit, innovative thinking, and sustainable transition – here are the nominees for the 2026 Seafood Award

Three strong forces in Swedish seafood have been nominated for the 2026 Seafood Award. What this year's candidates have in common is the courage to think innovatively, the willingness to collaborate, and the ability to inspire confidence in the future of an industry undergoing change.

The Seafood Award will be presented during the Nordic Seafood Summit on March 11–12 in Gothenburg, recognizing players who contribute to strengthening Swedish seafood through innovation, sustainability, and commitment.

"The Seafood Award recognizes those players who don't just talk about development, but who actually drive it forward. At a time when the industry is facing both challenges and great opportunities, we want to highlight those who are leading the way forward," says Emelie Hennström, project manager at Innovatum Science Park.

The jury consists of representatives from the Nordic Seafood Summit steering group, industry organizations, wholesalers and restaurants, grocery retailers, and innovation support organizations. The 2026 Seafood Award is sponsored by IKANO Bank.

The nominees are

Skillinge FISK-IMPEX, Simrishamn

In Simrishamn, the Ekström family has built up a leading player in Swedish herring production – and at the same time turned the town into a herring mecca. With drive, courage, and a strong belief in the future of seafood, they have invested even in uncertain times, developed the business, and created jobs.
By utilizing residual flows and developing products from new species, Skillinge FISK-IMPEX shows how tradition and innovation can go hand in hand – in a smart, sustainable, and long-term way.

Read more about Skillinghe Fish

Ax Foundation

Axfoundation drives the development of sustainable food for the future with energy, innovation, and a clear holistic perspective. They work all the way from ecosystems and raw materials to distribution and the dinner table, bringing together researchers, producers, chefs, and retailers around common solutions.
With the courage to try new things and a desire to make a real difference here and now, they combine innovation with concrete action—and show that change can be both creative and possible.

Learn more about Axfoundation

Seafood Promotion

With knowledge, commitment, and boundless energy, Sjömatsfrämjandet works to give seafood the place it deserves. Through education, inspiration, and modern communication techniques, they reach home cooks, restaurants, and the public sector—and not least children and young people.

They spread the joy of food, promote new species, and make it easier to choose fish and shellfish more often. A strong and positive voice for the industry and a driving force for more seafood to end up on Swedish plates.

The winner of the Seafood Award 2026 will be announced during the Nordic Seafood Summit in March. The award will be presented in front of industry representatives, authorities, and decision-makers—as a celebration of the strength, creativity, and optimism that characterizes the Swedish seafood industry.

Read more about the Swedish Seafood Promotion Council