Taprobane Seafoods, Direct Source Seafood sign strategic partnership

Taprobane Seafoods and Direct Source Seafood have entered a strategic partnership to produce, market, and sell Taprobane’s products in the United States. 

Taprobane Seafoods has 17 processing facilities, employing over 2,000 direct employees throughout the North-Western and Northern Provinces. They are committed to being a leader in sustainable and socially responsible seafood.

Taprobane Seafoods is the largest seafood company in Sri Lanka. It conducts vannamei and monodon shrimp farming and processing and operates a blue swimming crab fishing and processing operation. It also provides aquaculture products and services to Sri Lankan shrimp farmers through Taprobane Aqua Services. The company has benefited from an investment from the Atman Group in November 2021 and a joint venture with Seafood Group AS. 

Direct Source Seafood is a crab and shrimp importer based in Bellevue, Washington, U.S.A.  The company specializes in managing private-label shrimp and crab programs for major retail and food service companies. It recently formed similar vertically integrated partnerships in Mexico and Norway, Direct Source Seafood said in a press release.

The partnership, which is centered around companies’ shared commitment to “sustainability, ethical sourcing, and the integration of technology in the seafood industry,” as well as “providing the freshest, safest, and highest-quality frozen seafood to the market,” is set to exceed USD 20 million (EUR 18.7 million) in annual sales in 2023, with plans to surpass USD 40 million (EUR 37.4 million) by 2024, according to the company.

“This strategic partnership came about to meet the growing demand for eco-recommended Sri Lankan blue swimming crab and 4-star BAP-certified shrimp in the U.S. market,” it said.

Direct Source Seafood Sales and Procurement Vice President Ian Kennaway said he recently conducted a visit to tour Taprobane’s facilities in Sri Lanka.

“It was an enlightening experience visiting the fishing camps and Taprobane's processing facilities located in the former conflict areas in Northern Sri Lanka,” Kennaway said. “It was heartwarming to hear the stories of these amazing and hardworking people who have endured and survived a 30-year conflict and we are taking this message to the consumers in the U.S. We are committed to promoting Sri Lankan sustainable seafood in the U.S. market and believe it is important for the consumers to be aware that their purchases are helping drive the demand for sustainable seafood.”

Taprobane Seafoods Managing Director Timothy O'Reilly said he was happy to be partnering with Direct Source Seafood, 

“[They] share similar values and understand the expectations that U.S.A. distributors and consumers have regarding sourcing high-quality sustainable seafood,” he said.

Photo courtesy of Taprobane Seafood