Surf’s up! Between health-conscious consumers, eco-friendly home cooks, and adventurous gourmets, there’s massive demand for value-added and prepared seafood in the retail sector. Total seafood sales shot up 30.2% in the last four years, with 61% of consumers enjoying seafood at least once a week (Circana, 2024). As shoppers get more and more comfortable enjoying seafood at home, retail brands have a unique opportunity to catch record sales. And in a competitive market, innovation is key. That’s where custom sauces come in.
Custom sauces for seafood – marinades for fish and dips for shrimp, for example – are a prime way to enhance your brand’s seafood offerings and reel in new customers. Read on to find out more about the value-added seafood market, and how custom sauces can help your brand rise above the tide.
The Value-Added Seafood Market Is Booming
While the fresh and frozen seafood market both struggle against economic headwinds – namely, customers’ reluctance to spend money on higher-priced protein options – value-added and prepared seafood items are experiencing a surge in popularity. For example, sales of seafood appetizers surged nearly 210% late last year (Circana, 2023). Why?
- Perceived value: Higher-priced raw seafood options may be a deterrent for cost-conscious customers, but prepared items have a higher perceived value. That’s especially true for customers who love seafood, but aren’t entirely comfortable cooking it from scratch at home.
- Gen Z tastes: Members of younger generations, including millennials and Gen Z shoppers, have convenience top of mind. However, they’re also drawn toward adventurous flavors. Prepared seafood items like sushi and fish entrees offer that sense of culinary exploration alongside unmatched convenience.
- Health-conscious customers: Health and wellness are top of mind for today’s consumers, and seafood hits the mark every time. Seafood is high-protein, low-calorie, and attractive for shoppers who prioritize low-carb, keto, or pescetarian diets, among others. (A custom sauce manufacturer like Giraffe Foods can also help meet this demand, with our certifications including vegan, non-GMO, halal, organic, gluten-free, and more.)
Why Custom Sauces Make Sense for Value-Added Seafood
In a sea of options, custom sauces help your value-added seafood proteins stand out. First and foremost, custom sauces can elevate the taste of seafood. They differentiate your product and give customers the indulgence they crave. They also create opportunities for global flavors, which are incredibly popular with today’s adventurous consumers.
Beyond that, sauces for seafood help market your product as a premium option, improving your profit margins. Think of it this way: Not only are there opportunities to price your product at a higher level when including a sauce or a dip, but you can also cut costs by using sauce to help meet the total product volume.
Trending Sauces for Seafood: Our Current Favorites
Like we mentioned above, prepared seafood items like seasoned cod, seafood salad, and sushi are all on the rise in the grocery sector. Shrimp and salmon are also popular options for category launches (Mintel, 2023). Our custom sauces can take these popular proteins to new heights. From classic flavors to global tastes, we can do it all. Below are a few of our favorite sauces for fish:
- Lemon Herb Butter Sauce
- Garlic Parmesan Sauce
- Spicy Sriracha Aioli
- Citrus Dill Sauce
- Mango Habanero Sauce
- Thai Sweet Chili Sauce
- Tartar Sauce with Pickle Relish
- Chimichurri Sauce
- Cajun Remoulade
- Honey Soy Glaze
Oh, and those global tastes we mentioned? They’re perfect for seafood marinades, which are a creative way to add value to simple cuts of salmon or cod. The following are a few of our favorite seafood marinades:
- Teriyaki Marinade
- Lemon Garlic Marinade
- Spicy Cajun Marinade
- Miso Ginger Marinade
- Cilantro Lime Marinade
- Mediterranean Herb Marinade
- Sweet and Spicy Chili Marinade
- Smoky Chipotle Marinade
- Orange Ginger Marinade
- Sesame Soy Marinade
Value-added and prepared seafood is the obvious choice for shoppers who want to eat well, save money, and explore exciting new flavors without splurging on a dinner out. As the sector continues to grow, innovation is key to reel in new customers in retail settings.
And if you really want to stand out, consider partnering with a custom sauce formulator like Giraffe Foods. Our culinary experts can transform value-added seafood into something truly gourmet. Not only do we conduct rigorous industry research, allowing you to stay ahead of your competitors, but we can also coach you through everything from trending flavor formulation to unique packaging concerns.
