What Simmons Catfish does

Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc. (operating as Simmons Catfish) is a privately held, family-owned U.S. farm-raised catfish producer founded in 1984 and headquartered at 2628 Erickson Road in Yazoo City, Mississippi. The company runs a vertically integrated operation spanning production ponds, an in-house processing facility, and a company-owned fleet of temperature-controlled trucks that handle delivery to customers nationwide. Its product portfolio includes whole catfish, fillets, fillet cuts, nuggets, steaks, hushpuppies, and breading, sold in ice-packed and individually quick frozen (IQF) formats, with a premium sub-brand called Delacata Catfish positioned as a hand-trimmed, deep-skinned prime cut.

Core processing technology includes a proprietary daily flavor-testing regimen (fish from every pond are taste-tested for three consecutive days prior to harvest), IQF freezing at approximately -40°F followed by a protective ice-glaze dip, an electronic scan grading system that sorts fish into precise size ranges for skinning and filleting, and a temperature-controlled cold chain (32°F for fresh product, -15 to -20°F for frozen). The facility is USDA-inspected, FDA/HACCP-certified, and BAP (Best Aquaculture Practices) certified.

Simmons sells through a multi-channel model: direct-to-consumer e-commerce on its own website, sales to grocery retailers and food distributors across the United States, and direct relationships with restaurants and foodservice operators (supported by a 'Find Us' locator page). Revenue is generated entirely through one-time product sales of catfish products. Management is family-led, with Harry Simmons Jr. as President, Andy Prosser as Operations Manager (son-in-law), and Katy Simmons Prosser handling Marketing and Brand Development (daughter); the broader team spans 101–250 employees with many tenures measured in decades.

Name

Simmons Catfish

Legal name

Simmons Farm Raised Catfish, Inc.

Website

https://simmonscatfish.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Simmons Catfish is a privately held, family-owned farm-raised catfish producer in Yazoo City, Mississippi, operating a vertically integrated operation from ponds through processing to nationwide delivery. It sells whole catfish, fillets, and a premium Delacata sub-brand to grocers, restaurants, and direct consumers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Farm-Raised Catfish / Aquaculture

NAICS

Finfish Farming and Fish Hatcheries (112511), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Aquaculture (1125)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Finfish Farming (e.g., salmon, tilapia, catfish) (AFAEAAAA)

akta.pro secondary industry

Aquaculture Harvest, Processing & Packing (Farmed Finfish/Shellfish; On-Farm Plants) (AFANADAL)

Keywords

• Farm-raised catfish
• Catfish fillets
• Aquaculture products
• Frozen seafood
• Catfish processing

Headquarters

HQ city

Yazoo City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Catfish Product Sales: Sale of farm-raised catfish products including whole catfish, fillets, fillet cuts, nuggets, steaks, hushpuppies, and breading. Products available in ice-packed (IP) or individually quick frozen (IQF) formats.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Simmons Catfish farms, processes, and distributes farm-raised U.S. catfish through a vertically integrated operation in Yazoo City, Mississippi. The company sells whole catfish, fillets (including the premium Delacata cut), fillet cuts, nuggets, and catfish steaks, alongside complementary hushpuppies and breading, available in ice-packed or individually quick frozen (IQF) formats and packaged for both retail and institutional/foodservice customers.

Product overview

Simmons Catfish is a farm-raised catfish company offering a comprehensive portfolio of catfish products. The core offerings include Whole Catfish (various sizes, bone-in), Fillets (boneless, skinless in multiple sizes), and premium Delacata Catfish (deep-skinned, hand-trimmed prime cuts). Additional products include Fillet Cuts (strips, splits, and bites in various sizes), Nuggets, and Catfish Steaks. The company also offers complementary products including Hushpuppies (plain and jalapeno) and Breading mix. All products are available in ice-packed (IP) or individually quick frozen (IQF) formats. Products are sold through multiple packaging options including institutional IQF packs, retail IQF packs in boxes or bags, special 10 lb. packs, and ice-packed boxes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Delacata Catfish: Premium deep-skinned, hand-trimmed catfish fillet cut selected from the finest fish. Approximately 6 oz. portions, skinless and boneless. Described as the 'filet mignon of catfish' with thick flakes, firm texture and mild flavor.

Products and services

• Whole Catfish Eviscerated catfish sold bone-in, available in various sizes from 2-5 oz. to 40+ oz., with scored and fin-on options. Sold to retail consumers, restaurants, and food distributors in ice-packed or IQF formats.
• Fillets Boneless, skinless catfish portions with nugget removed, available in sizes from 2-3 oz. up to 12-16 oz. Sold through retail, foodservice, and direct-to-consumer channels in ice-packed or IQF formats.
• Delacata Catfish Deep-skinned, hand-trimmed prime cut fillets selected from the finest fish, in approximately 6 oz. skinless and boneless portions. Marketed as the premium sub-brand of Simmons Catfish.
• Fillet Cuts Various cut sizes of catfish fillet including strips (1-1.5 oz.), splits (2-3 oz., 3-5 oz., 5-7 oz.), fillet bites (0.5-1 oz.), and fillet portions (1.5-3 oz.) for retail and foodservice customers.
• Nuggets Catfish nugget portions cut from the shank fillet, in 1-3 oz. sizes, for retail and foodservice use.
• Catfish Steaks Cross-section bone-in catfish steaks cut from large whole fish, sold through retail and foodservice channels.
• Hushpuppies Southern-recipe hushpuppies ready for the fryer, available in plain and jalapeno varieties, in IQF format only.
• Breading Mix In-house recipe breading mix with seasoned coating for fried fish, available in 2 lb. and 5 lb. bag sizes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Temperature maintained at 38-42 degrees in the chiller for washing and chilling
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Catfish InstitutecoreOthersIndustry association representing U.S. catfish producers. Simmons is a member and displays The Catfish Institute logo on their website and products, indicating active participation in industry marketing and advocacy efforts.
• The Southern Foodways AllianceminorOthersNon-profit organization dedicated to documenting, celebrating, and sustaining the diverse food cultures of the American South. Listed as a friend and partner on Simmons' website.
• Genuine MScoreOthersMississippi Department of Agriculture's branding program. Simmons Catfish was one of the inaugural companies to kickstart this program designed to help consumers find products created or produced by Mississippi farmers and entrepreneurs.
• USA Catfish InstitutecoreOthersNational catfish industry promotional organization. Simmons displays their logo on products and website, indicating membership and participation in national catfish marketing initiatives.
• Restaurant TylerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRestaurant in Starkville, MS that has collaborated with Simmons on exclusive catfish dishes and home tailgating recipes. Chef Ty Thames created unique catfish recipes featured on Simmons' website and available at the restaurant.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Delta Pride Catfish: One of the largest U.S. farm-raised catfish processors, also headquartered in the Mississippi Delta, offering whole, fillet, and value-added catfish products to retail and foodservice — directly comparable to Simmons on species, geography, and channel mix.
• America's Catch: Mississippi-based farm-raised catfish processor selling IQF and fresh catfish products to retail and foodservice customers nationwide; competes head-to-head with Simmons in the same category, channels, and customer base.
• Heartland Catfish Company: U.S. farm-raised catfish producer and processor supplying whole fish, fillets, and value-added cuts to retail and foodservice — directly comparable to Simmons in species, processing capability, and distribution channels.
• Country Select Foods: Catfish and other seafood processor with branded retail and foodservice lines; overlaps with Simmons in farm-raised catfish fillets and value-added SKUs sold through grocery distribution.
• Harvest Select Catfish: U.S. farm-raised catfish brand supplying IQF and fresh catfish to retail and foodservice; directly comparable to Simmons on species, packaging formats (IQF), and customer segments.
• Consolidated Catfish Producers: Mississippi-based cooperative of catfish farmers producing farm-raised catfish for retail and foodservice markets; directly comparable to Simmons in species, geography, and channel mix.

Emerging players

• Freshwater Fish Company: Specialty U.S. aquaculture processor focused on catfish and other freshwater species for retail and foodservice; competes with Simmons in select retail and foodservice accounts with a similar product portfolio.

Regional players

• Indian Spring Shrimp / Indian Spring Fish: U.S. aquaculture producer (catfish and other species) operating in the Southeast with farm-to-processor operations similar to Simmons, though with a broader species mix and a more regional distribution footprint.

Broad incumbents

• Thai Union Group: Global seafood incumbent (parent of Chicken of the Sea and other brands) with broad aquaculture and processing operations; competes indirectly with Simmons through its U.S. seafood portfolio and foodservice distribution.
• Sysco: Largest U.S. foodservice distributor; while not a producer, Sysco is a key customer and supply-chain comparator for any U.S. catfish brand selling into restaurant and institutional channels, and competes with branded catfish suppliers in the foodservice pipeline.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SimmonsCatfish
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SimmonsCatfish
• Facebookfacebook.com/simmonsfarmraisedcatfish
• Instagraminstagram.com/simmonscatfish
• Pinterestpinterest.com/simmonscatfish
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/simmons-farm-raised-catfish-inc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Simmons Catfish