Distributors and Wholesalers of Frozen Seafood Products Basics

Make buying easier by learning more about frozen seafood wholesalers and distributors

U.S. demand for fresh and frozen seafood has steadily increased over the past 10 years, and forecasters project the demand to grow even faster in the future. Distributors and wholesalers of frozen fish products and seafood products sell to grocery stores, markets, restaurants, hospital cafeterias, nursing homes, catering companies, hotels/resorts, schools and other businesses.

Much of the frozen seafood you buy from them has undergone quick or flash freezing. This process kills parasites, stops and retards/reduces growth of microorganisms, enzymatic activity and chemical and physical changes in fat and protein that create flavor and texture changes and extend shelf life. During your research, keep the following in mind:

1. Look for growing and wider availability of organic frozen fish and seafood in the U.S. to meet consumer demands/preferences.

2. By far, shrimp ranks as the top fresh and frozen seafood seller because of taste, ease in cooking with and health benefits, and the U.S. actually imports the majority of its available supply.

3. The U.S. contributes heavily to the international seafood trade; it has ranked as the second largest importer for more than 10 years, giving U.S. consumers tons of frozen seafood options to choose from in restaurants and stores.

 

Learn where frozen seafood distribution and wholesale companies get their product

You can acquire a wider variety of top-quality fish and shellfish from a frozen fish wholesaler or distributor whose product comes from locations that serve as the habitat for specific fish and shellfish.
Try: Download the catalog at Slavin and Sons to view their inventory of whole fish, hand-cut fillets, shellfish and other frozen products that come from all over the world. Buy frozen fish wholesale from Prime Select Seafoods if you're looking for Alaskan seafood like salmon, halibut, cod and rockfish. Sea-Lect Wholesale Seafood started its business in 1972 and services customers with fresh and frozen seafood from the U.S., Canada, Central and South America, Africa, Norway and New Zealand.

Order frozen seafood from seafood-only companies or companies offering other products, too

When ordering fish and seafood for your restaurant or store, you can choose wholesalers or distributors of frozen seafood products that offer nothing else, or consider a company carries frozen fish and seafood in addition to other frozen, fresh or dry products.
Try: Order from fresh and frozen seafood distributors and wholesalers like Southstream Seafoods and Newport International when you only want seafood. If you want to offer the makings for sushi and other Japanese recipes in your market or offer Japanese dishes in your restaurant, get frozen/fresh fish, appetizers, vegetables and dry products from one source, True World Foods. Besides frozen seafood, Sysco Food Services can serve as your one-stop source for appetizers, beverages, main dishes, dairy, dessert, international specialties and more.

Purchase value-added frozen fish and seafood products

Offer your customers more choices for pre-made fish and seafood appetizers and entrees they can prepare quickly and easily any night of the week.
Try: Ocean Galley offers choices like flounder fillets with seafood stuffing, gourmet stuffed mushrooms and salmon or tilapia fillets with seafood and cheese stuffing. Fill your store's freezer cases with seafood products like crab and seafood cakes, appetizers, steamer creations, soups and seasoned fish from Phillips Foods.

 

• Understanding distributors and wholesalers of frozen seafood products basics include safe handling practices on their part and on yours. Always keep frozen fish and seafood at the proper temperature until you're ready to prepare it. Some high-moisture foods like seafood lose 5% of their shelf life for each 5-degree increase above 0 degrees F.

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