Seafood Importers and Exporters
Tips & Advice to help you make your decision on Seafood Importers and Exporters
The seafood industry is a delicate balance that hinges on the weather, the environmental limitations and of course, supply and demand. If you own your own import business or if you are an exporter or distributor, you must be aware of these limitations.
If you are looking for quality seafood importers and exporters for your business, keep in mind that this is a highly perishable product. Further, the product is susceptible to huge variations in quality; take the time to get to know your suppliers. Take the time to develop a relationship with importers who can fulfill your expectations in these three specific areas. First, make sure that the possible importers can deliver seafood of the highest quality, no matter how large or small your order. Second, consider using importers that have ties with sustainable fisheries. This will cut your risk when it comes to environmental and weather problems. With sustainable fisheries, you always have access to the product. Third, make sure that the importers that you use are environmentally responsible; the effects of over-fishing are long-term.
There are many things to consider when you are choosing your seafood importers and exporters. As you buy seafood for your restaurant or other food business, you must do some research. Make sure you are getting truly fresh fish for the best price possible. Learn more about your options with this list of resources.
Making the Most of Seafood Importers and Exporters
Learn the best way to buy wholesale fish and seafood from importersBy Kristina Seleshanko There's a lot to consider when buying from seafood importers and exporters. How can you be sure your import seafood company is providing you with truly fresh fish? What's the best price you can obtain from a wholesale fish vendor? Are there any types of seafood you shouldn't buy? These and many other questions are likely to come up when you're buying seafood for your restaurant or other food business.
When buying, making the most of seafood importers and exporters' offerings is high on your agenda. Although there are many considerations, three main categories should not be dismissed. They are:
1. Buying the freshest product possible from a fish distributor,
2. Getting the best price you can from fish importers,
3. And making sure your fish imports are responsible.
Ensure your seafood import is fresh
Freshness should be utmost in your mind when buying from a seafood importer, so notice whether the seafood is stored properly at about 32 degrees Fahrenheit (either by refrigeration or with ice). The fish you buy should smell mild, not stinky or fishy, and its eyes should not be sunken, pink or cloudy. When you press down on the fish's body, it should bounce back. Also, note that seafood that's flash frozen on the ship is extremely fresh--sometimes more so than unfrozen seafood.
Try:
WeLoveSeafood.com offers an excellent guide to recognizing fresh fish, mussels, oysters, clams, lobsters, shrimp, crab and other types of seafood. Although geared toward consumers, LifeTips offers several useful articles on choosing fresh seafood, with ideas applicable to those in the industry.
Buy your wholesale seafood at a good price
The price of seafood varies according to current fishing conditions, the weather and competition between importers and exporters. While it's always smart to shop around, it's also a good idea to test several wholesalers to see which are easiest to work with, most reliable and consistently offer the best deals. Start by researching wholesalers through their websites; after finding several who meet your needs and offer a good value for your dollar, try them out to see whether you can trust their product and pricing.
Try:
The Fresh Lobster Company sells wholesale fish, shrimp, crabs and other shellfish at competitive wholesale prices. For seafood that's brought in fresh daily, try AlwaysFreshFish.com.
Make certain your seafood importer--and you--are environmentally responsible
Once upon a time, everyone believed the ocean was so vast and seafood so prolific humans could never over-fish. We know better now. According to the United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization, 50 percent of the world's major fisheries are fully exploited, 15 percent are over-fished and 6 percent are depleted. That's why choosing sustainable seafood is vital to the health of the ocean and the future of fish as food.
Try:
The Monterey Bay Aquarium Foundation provides an excellent glossary of seafood with photographs and information about the sustainability of each creature. The Environmental Defense Fund has an easy-to-read chart of seafood that's "Eco-Best," "Eco-OK" and "Eco-Worst."
- Once you've made a purchase from a wholesale seafood company, keep your fish or other seafood fresh by storing it in the coldest part of the refrigerator at about 32 degrees Fahrenheit. You may keep it this way for up to seven days. Keep live shellfish well-ventilated in the refrigerator.
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