Category Leadership Awards: Frozen Seafood Meals

Frozen seafood prices rose 12.5 percent year over year in June, according to Circana. As higher prices push some shoppers toward lower-cost proteins, category leaders are responding with new products that deliver convenience, quality and value.

Aquamar is leaning into that opportunity with a simple product philosophy: make seafood easier to enjoy without compromising quality or flavor. “Our surimi products continue to be the foundation of our business because they make seafood incredibly easy to enjoy. Consumers are looking for convenient, high-protein options that don’t require a lot of preparation, and surimi fits that need perfectly. It’s versatile, affordable and can be added to everything from salads and sushi to pasta and tacos,” commented CEO Daryl Gormley.

He continued, “We’re also excited about a new wave of innovation that is just beginning to reach store shelves. Our latest launches, including Pan-Seared Pacific Cod Fillets, Crispy Scallop Bites and Salmon Wellington, bring chef-inspired seafood meals to the home with minimal preparation. We know everything starts with taste. Convenience may drive a first purchase, but exceptional flavor drives the second.”

“Our Cacio e Pepe Risotto Cakes with Shrimp were recently named a finalist in the 2026 Seafood Excellence Awards, and it’s another example of how we believe seafood can deliver the great taste, convenience and value today’s shoppers expect,” said Gormley.

Argentine shrimp has been Beaver Street Fisheries’ (BSF) top-selling item. “Customers love the bright red color of this wild-caught shrimp and can clearly see the shrimp in the clear bag before purchasing. It has a flavor that is almost like lobster and has been an anchor for BSF with many retailers who see velocity continuing to accelerate,” reported EVP, Mark Frisch.

He added, “Customers have certainly become more aware of their health when buying all varieties of food, which provides an opportunity for seafood to shine, and convenience and value are never out of style. While customers have been focused on adding more protein to their diets in the last several years, what has been somewhat surprising is the breadth of protein callouts and promotion across the grocery aisles. Seafood is an affordable, lean, high-protein food, and we are promoting that message even more, while also looking for opportunities to improve value and convenience for customers.”

High Liner Foods is a leading North American processor and marketer of value-added frozen seafood. In March 2026, the company launched a new line of frozen seafood skillet meals at Seafood Expo North America. “Sea Cuisine’s Skillet Meals are made for today’s consumers. We know that consumers are looking for meal options that are easy to prepare, tasty and high in protein, and this new lineup of meal options is the answer for the perfect, restaurant-quality, easy weeknight meal,” said Chief Commercial Officer, Anthony Rasetta, CCO, High Liner Foods. “We’ve also broadened the frozen seafood meal offerings commonly available to consumers, with sole and salmon options in addition to shrimp, to meet a wider range of tastes and preferences.”