AIPCE (EU Fish Processors and Traders Association) and CEP (European Federation of National Organizations of Importers and Exporters of Fish) were established in 1959 and collaborate on the basis of a Co-operation Agreement, creating AIPCE-CEP.

The association represents 19 EU National Associations from 12 Member States and 3 National Associations in Third countries (UK, Norway, Morocco), accounts for more than 3,900 enterprises and 128,000 persons (more than 80% representativeness at EU level). The value of the output of the industry represented by AIPCE-CEP amounts to around EUR 30 billion, about three and a half times the turnover of the EU catch sector.