Blue Circle Foods
Employee-owned sustainable seafood company selling frozen smoked salmon, shrimp, cod, and value-added seafood via DTC e-commerce, ~11 regional and national grocery chains, Amazon, and a wholesale/food service program in the continental US.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2005
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
Blue Circle Foods firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Blue Circle Foods
- Legal name
- Blue Circle Foods LLC
- Website
- https://bluecirclefoods.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2005
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Employee-owned sustainable seafood company selling frozen smoked salmon, shrimp, cod, and value-added seafood via DTC e-commerce, ~11 regional and national grocery chains, Amazon, and a wholesale/food service program in the continental US.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Blue Circle Foods industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Sustainable Seafood
- NAICS
- Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Fish and Seafood Retailers (44525), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446)
- SIC
- Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Smoked & Cured Seafood (Salmon, Herring, Lox) (AFANALAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Seafood Meal Kits & Heat-and-Eat Entrées (Prepared Meals Featuring Seafood) (AFANALAH), Marinated & Seasoned Seafood (Value-Added Raw/Par-Cooked) (AFANALAE)
Keywords
Where Blue Circle Foods is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Blue Circle Foods business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Direct E-commerce Sales: Consumer direct purchases through bluecirclefoods.com. Products ship frozen with dry ice to continental US addresses. Revenue from smoked salmon cases ($130), Norwegian Atlantic Salmon cases ($200), Wild Alaskan Sockeye cases ($220), individual products, and bundled case offerings.
- Wholesale Distribution: Bulk product sales to retail grocery stores and food service operators. Company provides sell sheets for Atlantic Cold Smoked, Frozen Farmed portions, Frozen Wild portions, Salmon Sausages, Salmon Burgers, Wild Salmon Burgers, Wild Alaskan Smoked, Smoked Steelhead Trout, Breakfast Sausages, Salmon Roll, Shrimp Burgers, and bulk food service products.
- Retail Partnership Sales: Products sold through retail partners including Whole Foods (where Changing Seas brand is sold exclusively), HEB, Harris Teeter, Fresh Thyme, and other regional grocery chains.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Smoked Atlantic Salmon Case - 8oz cold smoked salmon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Case - farmed Atlantic salmon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Wild Alaskan Sockeye Case - wild-caught sockeye salmon |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Peppered Roasted Atlantic Salmon - 4oz package |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Raw Pacific White Shrimp - 16oz bag |
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Standard 2-Day Air Shipping |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels5 records
Blue Circle Foods product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Blue Circle Foods is a sustainable seafood company that sells smoked salmon, fresh and frozen salmon portions, shrimp, cod, tuna, and value-added seafood products (sausages, burgers, fish bites). Products are sourced from MSC-certified wild fisheries and ASC-certified aquaculture farms, sold direct-to-consumer via e-commerce, through retail grocery chains, and through a wholesale/food service program.
Product overview
Blue Circle Foods is a sustainable seafood company offering a portfolio of fresh and frozen seafood products across multiple categories. The product line includes smoked salmon products (Cold Smoked Atlantic Salmon, Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Peppered Roasted Atlantic Salmon, Smoked Steelhead Trout), fresh/frozen salmon portions (Norwegian Atlantic Salmon, Wild Alaskan Sockeye Salmon), shrimp products (Pacific White Shrimp, Black Tiger Shrimp under Changing Seas brand), white fish (Wild-Caught Icelandic Cod), and tuna (Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna). Value-added products include Salmon Burgers, Happy Fish (fish-shaped salmon bites), Salmon Shorties (sausages), and Breakfast Sausages. Products are sold through retail (online direct-to-consumer, major retailers including Whole Foods Market, H-E-B, Harris Teeter), wholesale/food service channels, and bundled case offerings. The Changing Seas sub-brand is exclusive to Whole Foods Market.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Changing Seas: A sub-brand of Blue Circle Foods sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market locations nationwide. Includes products such as Thick-Cut Smoked Salmon and Black Tiger Shrimp.
Products and services
- Smoked Atlantic Salmon Cold-smoked Atlantic salmon slow-smoked for six hours over beechwood, available in 8oz and 12oz packages, sold in cases.
- Peppered Roasted Atlantic Salmon Hot-smoked Atlantic salmon over beechwood with black pepper seasoning, sold in 4oz packages.
- Norwegian Atlantic Salmon Case Farm-raised Norwegian Atlantic Salmon fed a marine-based diet including microalgae, ASC certified, sold in cases at $200 each.
- Wild Alaskan Sockeye Case Wild-caught sockeye salmon sourced from Bristol Bay Alaska by Native Alaskan fishermen, MSC certified, sold in cases providing 32 servings at $220.
- Raw Pacific White Shrimp Farm-raised Pacific White Shrimp from the Ecuadorian Pacific Coast with no tripolyphosphates, antibiotics, or additives; 16oz bag with 26-30 shrimp.
- Wild-Caught Icelandic Cod Wild-caught Atlantic cod from Iceland, sold in 20oz portions.
- Wild-Caught Yellowfin Tuna Wild-caught Yellowfin Tuna sold in 20oz portions.
- Chili Lime Salmon Shorties Salmon sausages with chili lime seasoning.
- Salmon Burgers Salmon patties in 4-pack format for wholesale distribution.
- Happy Fish Salmon Frozen fish-shaped bites made with sustainably raised salmon, sea salt, and pepper; ready in 4 minutes, sold in 7.5oz packages.
- Wild Alaskan Salmon Roll Fully cooked wild Alaskan salmon roll for food service/wholesale distribution.
- Changing Seas Sub-Brand (Black Tiger Shrimp, Thick-Cut Smoked Salmon) Sub-brand sold exclusively at Whole Foods Market nationwide, including Black Tiger Shrimp and Thick-Cut Smoked Salmon.
Quantifiable outcome
- Mercury levels 141x below FDA allowable limit (<0.0071 ppm vs 1ppm limit)
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Blue Circle Foods
Customer profileNamed customers11 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Blue Circle Foods technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration7 records
Feature4 records
Blue Circle Foods partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood WatchcoreBlue Circle Foods adheres to the standards of environmental protection established by Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch program for sustainable seafood sourcing.
- Marine Stewardship Council (MSC)coreAll wild fish sourced for feed comes from MSC Certified sustainable fisheries. Blue Circle Foods maintains MSC certification for wild-caught products including Sockeye Salmon.
- Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)coreBlue Circle Foods adheres to ASC standards for responsible aquaculture. Norwegian Atlantic Salmon is ASC certified. Company works with farmers meeting ASC requirements.
- Trace RegistercoreBlue Circle Foods adheres to traceability requirements set forth by Trace Register, enabling full supply chain traceability from source to consumer.
- Institute for Marketecology (IMO)coreBlue Circle Foods voluntarily agrees to third party auditing by IMO (Institute for Marketecology) for sustainability and organic certification verification.
- Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP)coreCompany maintains Best Aquaculture Practices certification for farmed seafood products, ensuring responsible aquaculture standards.
- Global GAPcoreBlue Circle Foods maintains Global GAP certification for farm operations, demonstrating commitment to responsible farming practices.
- Norwegian Salmon FarmerscorePartnership with generations-old family salmon farms in Norway raising fish in deep water pens (98% water, 2% fish) with marine-based diet including microalgae. Farms produce ASC-certified salmon with no antibiotics or GMOs.
- Ecuadorian Shrimp FarmcorePartnership with local family-owned Ecuadorian shrimp farm that sources all energy from hydropower, making it one of the most sustainable Ecuadorian shrimp farms. No mangrove destruction, no tripolyphosphates.
- Native Alaskan Fishermen NetworkcorePartnership with independent native fishermen from Alaska (Maldives, Iceland also mentioned) who catch wild Sockeye Salmon on day boats in Bristol Bay. Supports Native Alaskan fishing community.
- Whole Foods MarketcoreWhole Foods Market is the exclusive retailer for the Changing Seas brand of sustainable seafood. Also carries Blue Circle Foods products. Changing Seas Black Tiger Shrimp sold exclusively at Whole Foods.
- Panaferd (Paracoccus carotinifaciens)minorUses Panaferd natural carotenoid, derived through fermentation of marine microorganism Paracoccus carotinifaciens, as natural feed additive for salmon coloration and health benefits.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Blue Circle Foods competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Verlena (formerly known as Verlasso) / AquaBounty salmon brands: Emerging aquaculture salmon brands focused on responsibly farmed Atlantic salmon with sustainability messaging. Comparable to Blue Circle's Norwegian Atlantic Salmon positioning and ASC certification emphasis, but newer and less established in retail.
Direct peers
- Wild Planet Foods: Sustainable seafood brand specializing in pole-and-line caught tuna, sardines, salmon, and other seafood sold through natural and mainstream grocery channels. Comparable to Blue Circle on sustainability certifications, retail grocery distribution, and clean-ingredient positioning.
- Safe Catch: Premium tuna brand selling mercury-tested, sustainably sourced canned and pouch tuna through retail and DTC. Comparable to Blue Circle's verified low-mercury, clean-ingredient messaging and natural-channel retail distribution.
- Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics: Direct-to-consumer sustainable seafood retailer selling wild Alaskan sockeye, smoked salmon, and other certified seafood via online store and subscriptions. Closely comparable to Blue Circle on product mix, sustainability positioning, and D2C channel strategy.
- Fishpeople Seafood: Premium sustainable seafood brand selling ready-to-cook seafood meals and frozen seafood portions with traceability story. Comparable to Blue Circle's value-added prepared seafood positioning and DTC-plus-retail channel mix.
- Sitka Salmon Shares: Community-supported fishery (CSF) delivering wild Alaskan seafood direct to consumers via subscription. Closely comparable on wild sockeye sourcing from Bristol Bay and similar small-boat Native Alaskan fishermen relationships, with overlap in DTC frozen-seafood shipping model.
- Ocean Wise Seafood: Canadian sustainable seafood program and consumer brand, with Ocean Wise-recommended seafood sold across retail and food service in North America. Comparable to Blue Circle on third-party sustainability endorsements (akin to Seafood Watch) and certification-driven retail assortment.
Broad incumbents
- Trident Seafoods: One of the largest North American seafood companies, producing frozen, canned, and value-added seafood sold across retail and food service. Comparable to Blue Circle in frozen and smoked salmon/sockeye categories but operates at vastly larger scale with broader portfolio.
- Pacific Seafood: Vertically integrated seafood company harvesting, processing, and distributing wild-caught and farmed seafood across retail, wholesale, and food service. Comparable to Blue Circle on salmon, shrimp, and whitefish processing and multi-channel seafood distribution.
- Crown Prince Natural: Natural and organic seafood brand offering canned salmon, sardines, oysters, and other shelf-stable seafood through mainstream retail. Comparable to Blue Circle's clean-ingredient positioning and natural-channel distribution, with broader canned category reach.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks2 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Blue Circle Foods social profiles
Digital presenceBlue Circle Foods compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance10 records
Blue Circle Foods financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Blue Circle Foods leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Blue Circle Foods funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Blue Circle Foods M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Blue Circle Foods
What does Blue Circle Foods do?
Blue Circle Foods is a sustainable seafood company that sells smoked salmon, fresh and frozen salmon portions, shrimp, cod, tuna, and value-added seafood products (sausages, burgers, fish bites). Products are sourced from MSC-certified wild fisheries and ASC-certified aquaculture farms, sold direct-to-consumer via e-commerce, through retail grocery chains, and through a wholesale/food service program.
Is Blue Circle Foods a public or private company?
Blue Circle Foods is a private company. It is classified as management employee owned and is currently operating.
When was Blue Circle Foods founded?
Blue Circle Foods was founded in 2005. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Blue Circle Foods based?
Blue Circle Foods is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Blue Circle Foods make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Direct E-commerce Sales are the primary driver. The others are wholesale Distribution and retail Partnership Sales.
Who are Blue Circle Foods's main competitors?
Verlena (formerly known as Verlasso) / AquaBounty salmon brands is listed as an emerging player. Direct peers are Wild Planet Foods, Safe Catch, Vital Choice Wild Seafood & Organics, Fishpeople Seafood, Sitka Salmon Shares and Ocean Wise Seafood. Broad incumbents are Trident Seafoods, Pacific Seafood and Crown Prince Natural.
Does Blue Circle Foods have an API?
No public API is recorded for Blue Circle Foods.
What industry is Blue Circle Foods in?
Blue Circle Foods's product category is Sustainable Seafood. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFANALAD, Smoked & Cured Seafood (Salmon, Herring, Lox), with a secondary code of AFANALAH, Seafood Meal Kits & Heat-and-Eat Entrées (Prepared Meals Featuring Seafood). Its NAICS code is 3117 and its SIC code is 2092.