Value-added seafood maker Aquamar is unveiling an extensive new line of ready-to-heat seafood apps and meals at the 2024 Seafood Expo North America in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Rancho Cucamonga, California, U.S.A.-based Aquamar, exhibiting at Booth #959, is introducing “Shellfish Innovations” – a range of refrigerated products modeled after traditional dishes from Italy and Spain.
“Designed to be enjoyed in minutes, these ready-to-heat, refrigerated offerings make it easy to enjoy high-quality shellfish at home, providing a simple solution to meet consumer interest in eating more seafood,” the company said.
The line includes Wild Red Shrimp in Lobster Sauce with wild-caught Argentine red shrimp; Baby Clams with Garlic; Seafood Medley in Seafood Sauce; and Mixed Seafood in Tomato Broth, sourced from Italy with a blend of mussels, shrimp, and baby clams.
The range also includes Shrimp Skewers in a Tangy Garlic Dressing, made with shrimp from Ecuador; Albariño Mussels with White Wine and Butter; and Steamed Mussels with Tomato and Garlic, featuring sustainably harvested mussels from Galicia, Spain, “prized for their incredible plumpness and unmatched flavor profile,” Aquamar said.
Aquamar CEO Daryl Gormley said the line is meant to meet consumers’ increasing demand for convenient, restaurant-quality seafood meals at home.
"From the shrimp to the clams and mussels, our latest offerings give retailers affordable, one-of-a-kind options that their consumers can enjoy in the comfort of home with almost no preparation needed,” Gormley said. “By collaborating with partners who share our commitment to providing superior and environmentally sustainable seafood, we are continuing our mission of ensuring everyone has access to healthy, high-quality protein.”
Separately, Aldi’s U.S. stores are featuring a new frozen own-label product called Fremont Fish Market Air Fryer Salmon as part of its “Aldi Finds” program, available nationwide while supplies last.
The program is a way to test limited-time, specialty items to see how they resonate with customers before potentially rolling them out as part of the chain’s everyday selection, an Aldi spokesperson told SeafoodSource.
Aldi is also featuring other private-label seafood items as part of the weekly Aldi Finds program, including Fremont Fish Market Toss n' Serve Shrimp; Specially Selected Maryland Style or Boardwalk Crab Cake; Specially Selected Cold Smoked Salmon Gravlax; Fremont Fish Market Crab Cakes; and Air Fryer Salmon.
Auburn, Maine, U.S.A.-based Scott & Jon’s has also introduced a new line of seafood products. After rolling out new frozen salmon meals, the company is launching 10-Minute Meals.
"We understand that today's consumers are searching for convenient meal hacks that do not compromise on flavor or healthfulness,” Scott & Jon’s Co-Founder Scott Demers said. "Our 10-Minute Meals fulfill this demand while offering the flexibility to cater to diverse dietary preferences within families."
Each multi-serve meal includes shrimp, vegetables, and home-made sauces or seasoning blends. The three recipes available are Shrimp Alfredo, Shrimp Fajita, and Shrimp Scampi.
“The adaptability of these meals invites consumers to personalize with their favorite pastas, grains, and tortillas or enjoy a carb-conscious alternative,” the company said.
Scott & Jon’s also recently moved to combat a trend of shrinkflation across the retail sector by boosting the portion size of its single-serve shrimp bowls by 20 percent “to provide better value to consumers,” it said.
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.A.-based Phillips Foods is also catering to consumer demand for convenient foods, introducing refrigerated, pasteurized lobster meat and a frozen crab toast appetizer.
