Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

Atlantic Aqua Farms is Canada’s largest producer and distributor of live, rope-grown mussels and a prominent supplier of premium shellfish including oysters, clams, and live lobsters. Headquartered in Borden-Carleton, Prince Edward Island, the company operates one of North America's most sophisticated aquaculture and shellfish processing facilities, distributing to leading retailers and foodservice providers across Canada, the United States, and global markets.

Core Business

Atlantic Aqua Farms specializes in the sustainable aquaculture, harvesting, and distribution of live and processed shellfish. The company is fully integrated, managing the complete supply chain from seed to sale. With operations in Prince Edward Island, Maine, and Virginia, Atlantic Aqua Farms supports year-round shellfish availability and unmatched product freshness.

The company’s core business units include:

• Mussel aquaculture and processing
• Oyster harvesting and branding
• Clam procurement and distribution
• Live lobster holding and export

Product Offerings

• Mussels

  • Fresh Live Mussels (rope-grown, depurated)
  • Frozen Mussels (IQF format)
  • Oxygen Tray Mussels (retail-ready MAP packaging)

• Oysters

  • Premium branded oysters from PEI, Maine, and Virginia
  • Varieties include Shiny Sea™, Conway Cup™, and Fortune Oysters™

• Clams

  • Hard Shell Clams
  • Mahogany Clams
  • Razor Clams
  • Soft Shell Clams

• Lobsters

  • Live Maine Lobsters
  • Live Canadian Lobsters

Products are processed in federally inspected, HACCP-certified facilities with traceability systems and custom packaging solutions for wholesale and retail clients.

Specialization and USP

Atlantic Aqua Farms stands out for its proprietary rope-grown mussel farming techniques and its leadership in cold-water shellfish aquaculture. Key competitive advantages include:

• Mussels grown in nutrient-rich, cold Atlantic waters ensuring superior meat yield and taste
• State-of-the-art depuration and grading systems for consistent product quality
• Sustainability practices exceeding industry norms, with BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) certification
• A large network of over 12,000 acres of mussel farming leases

Their integrated operations allow tight quality control and supply chain reliability, critical for high-volume buyers in retail and foodservice sectors.

Financials

Atlantic Aqua Farms is a privately held company backed by Encore Consumer Capital, a U.S.-based private equity firm. While detailed financials are not disclosed, available market data and industry reports indicate:

• Estimated annual production of over 22 million pounds of live mussels
• Revenue estimated between CAD $50–75 million annually
• Expansion into U.S. markets through acquisitions including East River Shellfish and Maine-based operations (2020–2022)
• Recognized as one of the top three North American shellfish suppliers in terms of volume

These figures position Atlantic Aqua Farms as a dominant regional supplier with an expanding continental footprint.

Shipment and Export Data

Based on trade data and industry exports:

• Atlantic Aqua Farms exports to over 15 countries, with major markets including the United States, Japan, France, and Belgium
• Operates a fleet of temperature-controlled trucks to ensure cold chain integrity across North America
• Partners with logistics hubs in Boston, Montreal, and Halifax for international freight

Export volumes and consistent international buyer relationships highlight its status as a preferred Canadian shellfish exporter.

Target Market

• Retailers: Major grocery chains in Canada and the U.S. carry branded mussels and oysters under Canadian Cove and Confederation Cove labels
• Foodservice Distributors: Restaurants and hotels seeking consistent premium shellfish supply
• Seafood Importers and Wholesalers: Global partners importing Canadian shellfish for redistribution
• E-commerce Platforms: Fresh seafood providers specializing in direct-to-consumer shellfish delivery

Capabilities

• Aquaculture operations in PEI with advanced rope-seeding technology
• BAP-certified processing and depuration plant
• Live lobster tanks with automated grading and shipping lines
• High-throughput grading, packaging, and cold storage facilities
• Custom labeling and private label programs for retail clients

Certifications & Compliance

Atlantic Aqua Farms maintains a comprehensive portfolio of food safety and sustainability certifications, including:

• BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) Certified
• HACCP and CFIA Inspected Facilities
• US FDA Registered for seafood exports
• Eco-certifications and traceability protocols
• Compliant with U.S. National Shellfish Sanitation Program (NSSP)

These standards ensure global buyers receive products that meet the strictest food safety and sustainability expectations.

Customer Testimonials

While specific testimonials are proprietary to trade clients, Atlantic Aqua Farms is consistently recognized at international seafood expos and by retail partners for:

• Product consistency and freshness
• On-time delivery and cold chain reliability
• Responsiveness to custom packaging and branding needs

Customer loyalty and repeated orders from North America’s leading seafood distributors underscore strong satisfaction.

Achievements

• Canada’s largest mussel producer with over 60% market share in rope-grown mussels
• Successful acquisition of key U.S. oyster and mussel assets to expand production footprint
• Pioneer in oxygen tray packaging for fresh mussels—now a retail standard
• Recognized by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council for sustainable farming efforts
• Featured in seafood sustainability case studies by global NGOs

Atlantic Aqua Farms continues to set benchmarks in shellfish farming and processing by combining innovation, sustainability, and market responsiveness. Its reputation for high-quality, responsibly farmed shellfish makes it a trusted partner to distributors, retailers, and chefs around the world.