If you are looking for a business opportunity that guarantees a good profit, seafood wholesaling might be a perfect choice for you. It is especially advantageous in communities that have flourishing restaurants and health-conscious consumers. Due to its unmatched flavors and high nutrient density, seafood is almost always in demand in the food industry. Moreover, there are various types of suppliers, including small-scale fishermen to large-scale organizations that guarantee safe, sustainable, and stress-free seafood. It is, however, important for seafood wholesalers to have an effective business plan and for them to maintain strict quality checks so that there isn’t any risk of contamination or spoilage. You also need to comply with various regulations, including those set by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Here are a few things you need to consider before starting a wholesale seafood business:
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Gain Knowledge About the Seafood Industry
Before starting any business, you need to have enough knowledge about the industry, and seafood wholesaling isn’t any different. A passion for seafood is a great start. This will help you establish more familiarity with the way the industry works so that you aren’t frustrated by setbacks along the way. Attending seafood exhibitions, talking to industry insiders, and reading books and articles about seafood are a few ways in which you can enhance your knowledge.
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Find out the FDA requirements
The FDA has various regulations in place to ensure the safety and quality of seafood. You should download the FDA’s Fish and Fishery Products Hazards and Controls Guide to get a comprehensive of all that you need to do. It will help ensure that you adhere to the guidelines regarding the storage and commercial distribution of seafood. Seafood has special regulations and procedures due to its unique handling requirements and higher risk of spoilage.
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Find the right suppliers
If you want to get the best seafood for your business, you need to work with the best suppliers. There are hundreds of businesses that supply seafood to wholesalers, but not all of them are created equal. You need to do your research to find a reliable supplier that can provide you with the finest quality seafood at reasonable prices. Look for organizations that work with source and process seafood from local fishermen. At Safe Coast Seafoods, we pride ourselves on our commitment to providing transparent information, timely follow-up, and sustainable seafood solutions.
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Invest in high-quality storage and delivery equipment
As mentioned earlier, the storage and delivery requirements for seafood are much different from other food products. This is why you should invest in high-quality equipment that is guaranteed to be certified as suitable, safe, and sanitary by your state health department. Your facility should have adequate refrigeration and freezer facilities, regular cleaning and sanitization protocols, proper drainage, and more. You should also have well-equipped trucks or delivery vans that are sanitized daily. The 21 CFR 123 or seafood Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP) regulation requires businesses dealing in fish and seafood to implement an HACCP plan. This preventative plan involves conducting hazard analysis and implementing specific safety measures throughout your production process to make sure that the seafood handled by your company is safe and doesn’t pose any risk of foodborne illnesses.
We are one of the top suppliers of the highest quality U.S. seafood, catering to markets, wholesalers, and distributors. We purchase seafood from our trusted partner fishermen and farms, process it in our 4 HAACP-certified plants, and ship it around the world. With years of experience in the industry, we are committed to making sure that our customers enjoy impeccable quality and value for money. Reach out to learn more.