Royal Star Foods Ltd., based in Tignish, Prince Edward Island, Canada, is a vertically integrated seafood processing and export company specializing in premium Atlantic seafood. With a history rooted in the fishing heritage of Prince Edward Island, Royal Star Foods has become a leading player in North America’s lobster and shellfish industry. The company operates as part of the Tignish Fisheries Co-operative Association, ensuring deep community involvement and a secure, local supply chain.
Core Business and Offerings
Royal Star Foods focuses on harvesting, processing, and exporting high-quality seafood products sourced from the pristine waters of the North Atlantic. Its product portfolio includes:
- Whole Cooked Lobster: 100% wild-caught Homarus americanus, cooked and flash frozen for peak flavor and texture.
- Cooked Lobster Meat: Premium lobster meat, carefully processed and packaged for foodservice and retail.
- Lobster Tails: High-grade tails available in various sizes, individually quick frozen (IQF) or fresh.
- Snow Crab: Wild-caught, processed on-site, and delivered in a variety of formats to meet global market demands.
- Malpeque Oysters: Fresh oysters known for their sweet flavor and clean finish, cultivated in PEI's nutrient-rich waters.
- Cultured Mussels: PEI mussels, sustainably grown in cold Atlantic waters, known for their plumpness and consistent quality.
These products are distributed under the Atlantic Star – Star of the Sea™ brand, recognized internationally for quality, traceability, and sustainability.
Specialization and USP
Royal Star Foods' unique value proposition lies in its fully integrated model, from ocean harvest to international export. The company’s location near rich marine environments provides direct access to fresh, wild-caught seafood, allowing for:
- Same-day processing for peak freshness
- Traceable supply chains from harvester to shipment
- MSC-certified sustainable sourcing
The co-operative ownership model ensures that profits support local communities and that fishing practices are long-term and responsible.
Financials and Market Presence
While Royal Star Foods Ltd. operates as part of a private co-operative and does not publish financial reports publicly, industry data and trade sources indicate:
- Estimated annual revenue: USD $20–30 million
- Products exported to over 25 countries, including the U.S., Japan, China, France, and South Korea
- Key markets include retail chains, foodservice distributors, cruise lines, and hospitality brands
The company also supplies products under private label agreements for major seafood retailers.
International Shipment and Export Records
According to Canadian seafood export data and global trade databases:
- Royal Star Foods ships over 2,500 metric tons of lobster and shellfish annually
- Frequent containerized exports to Asia and Europe, particularly during peak seasons (May–September)
- Regular exports of flash-frozen cooked lobster meat and tails to the U.S. valued at $2M+ annually
- Ongoing expansion into premium oyster and mussel markets in Europe and the Middle East
All shipments are accompanied by CFIA certifications, temperature control logs, and destination-specific documentation.
Target Market
Royal Star Foods targets:
- High-end seafood importers
- Retail chains and supermarkets
- Luxury restaurants and hotel groups
- Cruise lines and airlines
- Wholesale foodservice suppliers
The Atlantic Star brand appeals to clients seeking wild, sustainably sourced Canadian seafood with clean labeling and consistent quality.
Capabilities
The company’s operational strengths include:
- State-of-the-art seafood processing facility in Tignish, PEI
- IQF technology and modern cold storage systems
- Live lobster holding tanks with capacity exceeding 100,000 pounds
- On-site grading, cutting, and packing lines for both foodservice and retail formats
- Year-round production with scalable labor force during seasonal harvest peaks
Royal Star Foods’ location near the source ensures a minimal harvest-to-freeze timeline, critical for quality preservation.
Certifications and Compliance
Royal Star Foods maintains:
- CFIA-approved facility certification
- Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) certification
- HACCP-certified processing
- Export-approved to EU, U.S., Japan, and China
- Active participation in Canadian Traceability Initiatives and sustainability councils
All products are handled with rigorous food safety protocols, allergen controls, and full product traceability.
Customer Testimonials
“Royal Star’s lobster is unmatched in quality and consistency. Our retail customers love the freshness and traceability.”
– Senior Buyer, U.S. Grocery Chain
“Their Malpeque oysters and mussels have become our premium shellfish offering. The service and reliability are top-tier.”
– Executive Chef, Luxury Hotel Group, France
Major Achievements
- Over 90 years of operation as part of the Tignish Fisheries Co-operative
- Successfully launched the Atlantic Star – Star of the Sea™ brand internationally
- Expanded live and frozen seafood exports to 25+ countries
- Developed customized processing solutions for private label and foodservice clients
- Recognized as a leader in co-operative-based sustainable fishing and regional economic development
Royal Star Foods Ltd. continues to deliver premium Canadian seafood to global markets, blending tradition, innovation, and sustainability in every shipment.
