New Orleans-based Prime Shrimp shooting for larger share of convenience market

Executives at New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.A.-based Prime Shrimp are on a mission to popularize at-home shrimp consumption across America by emphasizing their products’ convenience, high quality, and flavor.

Fresh off the launch of six frozen shrimp products 18 months ago, the shrimp processor and packager recently rolled out its newest flavor: New Orleans-style BBQ. The company is attempting to coax consumers who prioritize convenience away from meat and toward seafood.

“For years, shrimp has been America’s favorite seafood, consistently ranking as the seafood option with the highest consumption rates in the U.S. … yet shrimp consumption lags significantly behind beef and chicken consumption,” Prime Shrimp Commercial Manager Matt Rosenthal told SeafoodSource.

Americans eat, on average, 5 pounds of shrimp per capita annually – about 90 percent less than beef products. After analyzing the steep dropoff in consumption rates between meat and seafood, the Prime Shrimp team realized there was a “huge void and opportunity” in the retail market for products that address “real challenges preventing people from enjoying seafood at home,” Rosenthal said.

“For many, the mismatch can be attributed to a lack of familiarity with buying and cooking seafood at home,” Rosenthal said. “We strongly believe it is the responsibility of the seafood companies – that’s us – to offer new and exciting products that make cooking shrimp at home easy, fun, and rewarding.”

Prime Shrimp executives focused on creating a line of Cajun- and Creole-inspired flavors, including French Quarter alfredo, garlic herb butter, and the latest New Orleans-style BBQ for its sauced line. The new BBQ shrimp offering combines the tang of lemon butter and Worcestershire sauce with the spice of black pepper and chili flakes, Rosenthal said.

“As a fiercely local flavor – the best recipes of which are hotly contested amongst New Orleans natives – the New Orleans-style BBQ flavor holds a special place in our hearts,” Rosenthal said. “We spent months developing the perfect recipe. The result is truly a reflection of our company’s roots and the culinary culture we hold dear ... 

Photo courtesy of Prime Shrimp