The National Fishermen Producers Co-operative Society Ltd. (NATFISH) represented Belize at the Americas Food & Beverage Show & Conference 2026, held from September 14 to 16 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Florida. NATFISH participated as part of the first-ever Belize Country Pavilion, an initiative facilitated by BELTRAIDE through its EXPORTBelize unit to connect Belizean businesses with international food and beverage markets.
Bringing Belizean seafood to an international audience
The exhibition brought together food producers, buyers, importers, distributors and other industry representatives. For NATFISH, participation provided an opportunity to introduce the Co-operative, highlight Belizean seafood and raise awareness of the work behind products reaching customers beyond Belize’s shores.
The NATFISH delegation included Ms. Denise O’Brien alongside other Co-operative representatives and stakeholders. Reflecting on the exhibition, Ms. Denise emphasized the importance of putting a face to the Belizean seafood products that reach markets in the Americas, Taiwan and elsewhere. It was an opportunity to connect the product with the people, knowledge and fishing communities behind it.
Belize’s first Country Pavilion
Through BELTRAIDE’s facilitation, NATFISH joined other Belizean exporters in a shared national presentation. The inaugural pavilion placed Belize’s food and beverage producers within a wider international trade environment, where products and business stories could be introduced to a global audience.
NATFISH also made use of its digital presentation materials, including digital business cards and QR codes, to help people discover more about the Co-operative beyond the exhibition floor. These materials complemented the product and institutional information presented during the event.
Building visibility for the future
For NATFISH, the visit was a positive step in making the Co-operative and Belizean seafood more visible internationally. Trade exhibitions create opportunities for conversations, stronger recognition and future commercial relationships, although specific sales or agreements from this event have not been announced.
The Co-operative’s work continues beyond the exhibition itself. By bringing Belizean seafood and the people behind it to international audiences, NATFISH supports a larger goal: strengthening recognition of Belize’s fishing industry and creating new possibilities for the members and communities it represents.
NATFISH acknowledges BELTRAIDE and EXPORTBelize for facilitating Belize’s participation in the Country Pavilion and supporting the opportunity to showcase Belizean products on an international stage.
