As the corona virus decimates fresh seafood sales, the market is seeing a surge in demand for frozen products. Producers can quickly meet the need with readily available freezing technology.
With restaurants, hotels and fresh seafood counters closing all around the world in response to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the demand for fresh fish has plummeted. However, as buyers’ patterns of shopping turn to stockpiling, demand for frozen seafood has risen sharply. According to Intrafish, the US market alone is seeing double-digit growth in canned and frozen fish, but the trend has been observed on a global scale.
As the industry prepares to recoup from a faltering fresh market, many producers are already retooling their lines towards frozen production, either in part or in whole. “We’re already seeing a big uptick in demand for freezing solutions,” says Ragnar Guðmundsson, Director of Sales Operations Europe for Skaginn 3X. “As we face this challenge in the industry, we’re proud to be able to equip our partners without delay with the kind of equipment that allows them to freeze product at peak quality in a cost-efficient way and get it out to the market quickly.”
One of the systems most in demand is currently the Automatic Contact Freezer, which features short loading and freezing times and uses non-pressure, horizontal freezing to maintain optimal quality. “The freezer is fully automated and available in a range of capacities, up to 100 tons per 24 hours for a single unit” says Ragnar, “so it’s an ideal solution for a wide range of producers who are looking to get high-quality product to market as quickly as possible.”
Another system that has become more popular as production shifts to freezing is the ConTech™ IQF Freezer, which combines crust and full-freezing in a single unit. “We’re seeing increased demand for the ConTech™ IQF Freezer right now because it’s a remarkably flexible and cost-efficient system,” says Ragnar. “With the patented TCAB belt, product shows very low yield loss and freezes about 40% faster than conventional IQF.”
When asked about turnaround, Ragnar says that there is very little wait time at present, but that the company is making every effort to meet increased demand. “As an industry we’ve got to adapt as quickly as possible and seize the opportunities we’re presented with,” says Ragnar. “Working alongside our partners in production is how we will rise to meet the challenge.”
Contact information:
Ragnar Guðmundsson
Director of Sales Operations Europe
Mobile: +354 863-2052
ragnara@skaginn3x.com
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