Seafood Processing

Seafood Processing

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry clean and pack fresh seafood; can, freeze, and dry seafood; and process fish fats and oils. Major companies include Ocean Beauty Seafoods and Trident Seafoods (both based in the US), as well as Dongwon Industries (South Korea), High Liner Foods (Canada), Icelandic Seafood (Iceland), Maruha Nichiro Holdings and Nissui (both based in Japan), Mowi (Norway), Nueva Pescanova (Spain), and Thai Union (Thailand).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand is driven by trends in fish consumption. The profitability of individual companies depends on operational efficiencies. Large companies often enjoy the advantages of vertical integration and have economies of scale in purchasing and marketing. Small companies can compete effectively by specializing in niche markets. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for about 80% of revenue.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products include fresh and frozen seafood (about 70% of US revenue). Other products include fish meal and fish oil, as well as inedible byproducts used for bait and animal food.