Todays’ seafood industry is experiencing a perfect storm of three market challenges – sustainability, product freshness, and consumer expectations. Producers and retailers are responding by seeking out new packaging designed to address these simultaneously. At the same time, where and how consumers purchase seafood is changing. Yes, traditional fishmongers are alive and well, but limited market presence as well as retail scalability issues can’t deliver on market accessibility and growth fronts. Retail operations are increasingly moving to case ready products, which employ higher-quality, attractive packaging designed to preserve product quality, while offering buyers more point-of-sale information. Most importantly, case-ready offers consumers wider product selection and a variety of package sizes. Delivering pre-packaged, consumer-ready, portioned products with minimized handling and assured freshness is well-aligned with consumer demands for ready-to-cook/eat options that fit busy lifestyles. Together these factors are helping to fuel the growth and popularity of case ready seafood. But case ready carries baggage as well – the increased use of plastics-based packaging materials.
The answer lies in alternative, more sustainable case-ready packaging techniques. The use of paper-based boards combined with advanced films and vacuum-seal technologies have seen notable consumer uptake – while at the same time offering producers and retailers significant improvements in product presentation, shelf-life, and marketing real estate. Is it a match made in heaven? This presentation will explore what makes this packaging style attractive for the seafood supply chain and consumers alike. Do these alternatives deliver on the promise of enhanced shelf life, reduced food waste, improved sustainability and profitability? Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of the economic, environmental, and consumer-centric advantages, positioning them to make informed decisions in embracing this cutting-edge packaging solution.
