Regal Springs finds deals “out of the blue” from Seafood Expo North America

Zurich, Switzerland-based Regal Springs Tilapia returned to Seafood Expo North America (SENA), which ran from 12 to 14 March, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts, to expand its international market prospects.

It marked Regal Springs’ first seafood expo appearance since the pandemic, and the first show for Todd Raasch since he was appointed the company's U.S. managing director of seafood, after starting with the company as director of North American retail sales in August 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Although Raasch is an industry veteran, having previously served in sales roles at True North, Icicle, and Kelley-Clarke Seafood, he has brought a fresh set of eyes to the company.

"[SENA] provides a one of a kind in-person opportunity to follow-up with inquiries about our fresh-produced tilapia," he told SeafoodSource.

Additional opportunities arose “out of the blue” at the show, Regal Springs Marketing and Communications Head Vernon Bradley said.

Bradley said a USD 14 million (EUR 13.5 million) investment in November 2022, and previous capital injections surpassing USD 20 million (EUR 19.3 million) over the past two years, have given the company a springboard for growth in Mexico and beyond.

The Regal Springs Group raises premium tilapia in lakes in Indonesia, Honduras, and Mexico. Its fish are weaned without the use of chemicals, growth hormones or antibiotics, and are certified under BRC, the Global Aquaculture Alliance’s Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) program, and the Aquaculture Stewardship Council. The company is owned by the Golden Springs Group, which is also the parent company of Singapore-based feed company Gold Coin Group. 

Regal Springs became a member of the Blue Food Partnership’s multi-stakeholder Sustainable Aquaculture Working Group in August 2022. AndRegal Springs has been working with aquaculture technology provider AquaManager to implement AI technologies to improve production efficiency, and has partnered with stunning technology solution provider Ace Aquatec. It has also partnered with the Nautilus Collaboration on biological performance and biosecurity and The Centre for Responsible Seafood (TCRS) on improving the company's regenerative aquaculture practices. Additionally, a collaboration with Benchmark Genetics has helped to improve Regal Springs' broodstock to cultivate higher-quality fish with enhanced immunity.

Regal Springs CEO Alois Hofbauer, who was appointed to the position in November 2019, told SeafoodSource the company is still ... 

Photo courtesy of Regal Springs