Exhibiting at Seafood Expo North America 2025

Direct Source Seafood LLC is a U.S.-based premium seafood importer and distributor headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The company has established itself as a reliable supplier of sustainably sourced, high-quality frozen seafood to retail, foodservice, and wholesale markets across North America. With a mission centered around direct procurement and quality assurance, Direct Source Seafood ensures traceability, consistency, and competitive pricing for its customers.

Core Business and Offerings

Direct Source Seafood focuses on delivering a carefully curated selection of seafood products that meet strict quality and sustainability standards. Its primary offerings include:

• King Crab

  • Sourced from sustainable fisheries in Russia and Norway
  • Available in various sizes and cuts (whole legs, clusters)
  • Ideal for high-end foodservice and retail

• Snow Crab

  • Processed in-season to ensure peak freshness
  • Offered in leg clusters and sections
  • Popular in buffet and restaurant settings

• Shrimp

  • Wild-caught and farm-raised options
  • Includes grilling shrimp, breaded varieties, and peeled/deveined
  • Sourced from regions including Southeast Asia and Latin America

• Lobster Tails

  • Premium Brazilian lobster tails
  • Recognized for their texture and flavor
  • Packaged for both foodservice and retail formats

• Frozen Fish Fillets

  • Assorted species including cod, haddock, pollock, and tilapia
  • Vacuum-packed and IQF-processed to retain freshness
  • Private label and bulk formats available

These products are imported and distributed with attention to traceability, regulatory compliance, and client-specific labeling or branding needs.

Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

Direct Source Seafood’s competitive edge lies in its direct procurement model and strategic sourcing partnerships with processing plants in key harvesting regions. Its USPs include:

• Direct access to vessels and processors, reducing middlemen and cost
• High-spec cold chain logistics to maintain product quality throughout distribution
• Flexible packaging solutions for branded and private label clients
• Strong QA team on the ground in sourcing countries
• Sustainability and traceability focus, working with BRC and MSC-certified suppliers

This allows the company to deliver customized and consistent seafood products at competitive prices while meeting regulatory and quality benchmarks.

Financial Strength

While Direct Source Seafood is privately held and does not publish financial results, its consistent operations and premium product portfolio indicate a solid mid-sized revenue base. Industry analysts estimate:

• Annual revenue range: $10M–$30M
• Import volume: Over 150 containers annually
• Growth rate: Steady double-digit growth driven by retail and foodservice demand post-pandemic

Its ability to maintain multi-channel distribution and product diversity underlines strong cash flow and operational scalability.

Shipment and Trade Data

According to international trade data and port records:

• Direct Source Seafood regularly imports from Russia, Norway, Brazil, Vietnam, India, and Ecuador
• Ports of entry include Seattle, Los Angeles, and New York
• Product categories span frozen shellfish and fish fillets, with emphasis on king and snow crab
• Maintains logistics partnerships for LCL and FCL delivery to warehouses and distributors across the U.S.

Their logistics network ensures consistent supply to clients ranging from national grocery chains to boutique seafood stores and restaurants.

Target Market

Direct Source Seafood caters to a diverse set of clients, including:

• Retail Grocery Chains (branded and private-label products)
• Foodservice Distributors and Restaurant Groups
• Wholesale Clubs and Institutional Buyers
• Specialty Seafood Retailers
• E-commerce and Direct-to-Consumer Frozen Food Brands

Their customers seek premium seafood products with traceable origins, food safety compliance, and competitive pricing structures.

Operational Capabilities

• Sourcing offices in Asia and South America for on-ground inspection and supplier liaison
• Partnerships with MSC and BRC-certified plants
• Cold storage partnerships in key logistics hubs
• Packaging customization for retailer-specific formats
• Regulatory documentation and import compliance expertise

These operational capabilities ensure product integrity from ocean to shelf, enhancing reliability and speed to market.

Certifications and Compliance

Although the company’s facility-specific certifications are not public, its suppliers and logistics processes comply with:

• FDA seafood import regulations
• EU Health Certificate compliance (for applicable exports)
• BRC (British Retail Consortium) food safety standards
• MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) certified fisheries
• USDA labeling and traceability standards for seafood

These compliance standards reinforce the brand’s trustworthiness in regulated markets.

Brands Represented

Direct Source Seafood owns and distributes products under multiple established brands:

• BBQ Bay – Known for grilling-focused shrimp and shellfish
• Icy Ocean – A value-oriented brand for frozen crab and shrimp
• Chef's Net – Premium seafood aimed at professional kitchens
• Marine Treasures – Specializing in king crab and exotic shellfish offerings

These brands serve different market tiers and customer preferences, from everyday use to gourmet retail.

Achievements and Recognitions

• Recognized among top 100 U.S. seafood importers by independent trade platforms
• Expanding presence in private-label retail programs
• Successful launch of BBQ Bay and Marine Treasures across Western U.S. grocers
• Strong year-over-year growth in king crab category, despite global supply constraints

Customer Testimonials

A Seattle-based seafood distributor shared: “Direct Source Seafood provides some of the best-value king crab on the market. Their reliability and speed make them a trusted partner.”

A retail seafood buyer commented: “We appreciate the flexibility in packaging and the consistency in product quality. The Marine Treasures line has been a hit in our stores.”