Catching
Distribution Channels
Distribution channels vary
from market to market, but following are some general guidelines.
1.Importers
Seafood importers usually purchase products
in their own name and carry stock. Some companies have processing
or repacking facilities. Their main customers include seafood
processors and packers, wholesalers and retail and restaurant/catering
organizations.
In some countries, particularly Japan
and Hong Kong, most squid imports are handled by trading companies,
which usually have one or more fish and seafood import departments.
There is little trade in retail-packed
squid. Importers usually handle only bulk-packed products.
However, in some countries, such as Germany, there are specialized
importers who handle retail packs.
Trading agents play a relatively small
role in the squid trade, though certain quantities are traded
through them. They do not take physical possession of the
product, nor do they handle it. Their main function is to
secure orders on behalf of exporters, for which they receive
a commission.
2.Fishery companies and seafood processors/packers
In some markets, particularly those with
substantial landings of fishery products (e.g. Japan and Spain),
large fishery companies engage in industrial fishing of squid,
shrimp and other marine species. These companies usually have
processing and packaging facilities. Many of them handle imported
squid products and import part of their requirements directly,
either for their own use or for resale to seafood processors
or other clients. In Japan, fishery companies have become
the most important importers, along with trading companies.
Most markets have large numbers of seafood
processors/packers or frozen food manufacturers. These companies
pack and sell frozen squid in retail and catering packs, and
some of them also offer frozen prepared dishes. They often
have well-established brand names and some may pack “own labels”
for other companies. Many of these firms import part of their
requirements directly and/or buy from importers and fishery
companies.
3.Retail Organizations
Since there is little international trade
in retail packs, few retail organizations import squid products
directly. However, some companies, in both Europe and Asia,
import directly or are interested in doing so. For example,
some Japanese and Hong Kong trading companies import for their
own retail outlets. A Japanese supermarket chain owns a processing
plant in Thailand, from which it obtains part of its supplies.
4.The Restaurant and Catering Trade
The restaurant and catering trade is large
and extremely important in most markets. Restaurants and other
eating outlets usually obtain their supplies of squid from
importers, wholesalers or seafood processors, depending on
the quantities involved and the type of outlet in question.
In many markets, including Japan,
Spain, France and Italy, intermediaries operating in the fish
wholesale markets play a pivotal role in supplying the restaurant
trade.
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