What Verwijs Seafood does

Verwijs Seafood is a privately owned Dutch seafood processing and trading company founded in 1988 by John Verwijs and headquartered in Rilland, Netherlands, at De Poort 81. The company was among the first to introduce exotic Indian Ocean fish to European markets, originally supplying ethnic markets in Brussels and Paris, and has since built a global sourcing network of over 100 partners across Africa, Asia, and Europe. Its portfolio spans 400+ premium seafood products across multiple categories: whole fish, fillets, steaks, shrimp and crustaceans, molluscs, and salted/smoked/dried products, complemented by a line of exotic vegetables.

The company's technology stack centers on physical seafood processing capabilities, modern packaging formats (Bulk, Retail Bags, IWP, IVP, Flowpack, Trays), and a global logistics network with an own EU transport fleet, strategically positioned between major world ports. Its flagship proprietary brand is Star Pride, which carries exclusive sourcing rights where selected catches are specially fished for Verwijs Seafood in prime locations not offered to other parties. Value-added processing services — Precision Portioning, Marinating, Traditional Wood Smoking, and TailorMade private-label packaging — extend the offering upstream of pure commodity trading.

The business model is B2B wholesale distribution through trade accounts, with pricing gated behind registration via [email protected]. The company targets three enterprise customer segments horizontally: culinary professionals (chefs and foodservice operators), retailers, and wholesalers. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales with no disclosed subscription, licensing, or recurring pricing structure. With approximately 30 employees and no public funding, M&A activity, or disclosed financials, Verwijs Seafood operates as a focused, family-owned niche specialist in exotic seafood imports to Europe.

Name

Verwijs Seafood

Legal name

Verwijs Seafood

Website

https://verwijsseafood.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Verwijs Seafood is a privately owned Dutch seafood processor and trader, founded in 1988, that sources exotic fish globally from 100+ partners to supply culinary professionals, retailers, and wholesalers across Europe via its Star Pride premium brand.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Seafood Wholesale and Processing

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710)

SIC

Wholesale-Groceries & Related Products (5140), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092)

akta.pro primary industry

Seafood Wholesale (Fresh & Frozen) (AFAIADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Smoked, Cured & Salted Seafood (Lox, Kippers, Bacalao) (AFANADAF), Value-Added Seafood Packaging (MAP/Vacuum, Portion Packs, Private Label) (AFANADAM), Surimi & Minced Fish Products (Imitation Crab, Fish Paste) (AFANADAG), Frozen Seafood Meals & Value-Added Seafood (CRADADAG), Shellfish Value-Added Products (Shucked Oysters, Mussels, Clams; Cooked/Marinated) (AFANALAK)

Keywords

• Seafood wholesale distribution
• Exotic seafood processing
• Premium seafood sourcing
• Fish fillets supply
• B2B seafood trading

Headquarters

HQ city

Rilland

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Seafood Product Sales: Wholesale B2B sales of premium seafood products including whole fish, fillets, steaks, shrimp, molluscs, and processed seafood. Revenue generated through trade accounts with pricing available upon account setup.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Verwijs Seafood is a B2B wholesale and processing company that sources, processes, and distributes over 400 premium seafood products (whole fish, fillets, steaks, shrimp, molluscs, smoked/dried, and exotic vegetables) to culinary professionals, retailers, and wholesalers in Europe. The company operates the Star Pride premium sub-brand built on exclusive sourcing partnerships and offers value-added processing services including precision portioning, marinating, wood smoking, and private-label packaging.

Product overview

Verwijs Seafood is a privately owned seafood processing and trading company founded in 1988, operating as a portfolio of premium seafood brands and processing services. The company's flagship brand is Star Pride, offering absolute top-quality premium products across multiple categories including whole fish, steaks, fillets, shrimp, and crab. The portfolio includes over 400+ seafood products supplemented by value-added processing services (Precision Portioning, Marinating, Traditional Wood Smoking, Private Label/TailorMade) and various packaging solutions (Bulk, Retail, IWP, IVP, Flowpack, Trays). The company also offers Exotic Vegetables to complement its seafood offering. The products range from commodity fish items to premium branded offerings with exclusive sourcing partnerships.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Star Pride: Premium sub-brand representing absolute top quality across multiple seafood categories including whole fish, steaks, fillets, shrimp, and crab. Products are specially fished for Verwijs Seafood in prime locations due to longstanding exclusive sourcing rights.

Products and services

• Whole Fish Fresh and frozen whole fish from global sourcing partners spanning multiple species including Anchovy, Barracuda, Capitaine, Emperor, Grouper, Mackerel, Milkfish, Pangasius, Pomfret, Rabbitfish, Sardinella, and Sardines, sold B2B to culinary professionals, retailers, and wholesalers.
• Fish Fillets
• Fish Steaks
• Shrimp and Crustaceans
• Molluscs
• Salted, Smoked and Dried Seafood
• Exotic Vegetables
• Star Pride Premium Brand
• Precision Portioning Service
• Marinating Service
• Traditional Wood Smoking Service
• TailorMade Private Label Service
• Packaging Options

Quantifiable outcome

• 100+ sourcing partners globally
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Fishing and Farming PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1988Over 100 sourcing partners globally across Africa, Asia, and other regions. Long-term partnerships with fishermen and farmers dating back to day 1 of operations, ensuring consistent quality and exclusive sourcing rights for Star Pride products.
• Yemen Fishing CommunitiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting livelihoods of individual fishermen and their hooks just off the coast of Yemen. Exclusive sourcing partnerships with local fishing communities.
• Sri Lankan Shrimp FarmscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered farms in Sri Lanka supplying shrimp for Star Pride brand. Long-term relationships ensuring consistent quality.
• Traditional Wood Smoking PartnerminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDedicated partner for traditionally wood-smoked fish, using time-honoured techniques for authentic taste and premium quality.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Clearwater Seafoods: Canadian seafood harvester and processor specializing in wild-caught shellfish (clam, scallop, lobster, crab) with global distribution. Comparable to Verwijs in premium wild-caught positioning and foodservice/retail distribution, but larger and vertically integrated into harvesting.
• Thai Union Group: One of the world's largest seafood conglomerates (Chicken of the Sea, John West, King Oscar), with global sourcing, processing, and branded distribution across retail and foodservice. Broader incumbent to Verwijs Seafood operating in overlapping seafood categories but at scale across multiple brands and geographies.
• Pacific Seafood Group: US family-owned vertically integrated seafood processor and distributor with broad species portfolio and food-service/retail channel coverage. Comparable to Verwijs Seafood in family ownership, B2B distribution, and broad species/species-processing portfolio.
• Maruha Nichiro: Japanese global seafood conglomerate with extensive processing, distribution, and aquaculture operations across finfish, shellfish and crustaceans in Europe (including via Heiploeg). Broader incumbent that competes with Verwijs in shrimp and processed seafood categories.

Direct peers

• Lyons Seafoods: UK-based seafood supplier focused on chilled and frozen shellfish (crab, lobster, langoustine) to UK and European retail and foodservice. Comparable to Verwijs Seafood in premium shellfish positioning and B2B wholesale to culinary professionals and retailers.
• Espersen: Danish seafood processor with broad value-added product portfolio (breaded, fillets, portions) serving European foodservice and retail. Comparable to Verwijs Seafood in B2B processing/wholesale positioning and breadth of European customer base.
• Nordic Seafood: Danish seafood processing and wholesale company with broad whitefish and shellfish product range sold across European retail and foodservice. Comparable to Verwijs Seafood in B2B processing focus, broad SKU portfolio, and European distribution footprint.
• Siam Canadian Group: Thailand-based global seafood trader supplying frozen and value-added seafood (shrimp, squid, finfish) to wholesale and retail customers worldwide. Comparable to Verwijs in global sourcing model, premium/exotic seafood positioning, and B2B trade account selling.
• Morubel: Belgian seafood processor and wholesaler headquartered in Ostend, specializing in frozen and processed fish/shellfish with strong European retail and foodservice distribution. Direct comparable to Verwijs Seafood given overlapping product portfolios (fillets, smoked, crustaceans), B2B wholesale model, and Benelux customer base.
• Heiploeg International: Dutch shrimp processor (Eemshaven, Netherlands) with value-added processing and B2B distribution across Europe. Comparable to Verwijs Seafood in country of origin, B2B wholesale channel, and processed seafood focus, especially within the crustaceans category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Verwijs Seafood