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Northeast U.S. Whelk Meat Expands Exports to Asia and Middle East 

Participating in Food Export-Northeast services at the Seafood Expo Asia Show held in Singapore held this Massachusetts supplier establish sales in two markets.

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In 2024, Ocean C Star LLC participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Seafood Buyers Mission at the 2024 Seafood Expo North America held in Boston, Massachusetts, the Online Product Catalog Trade Leads service, and Food Show PLUS!™ services at the Seafood Expo Asia Show held in Singapore. This New Bedford, Massachusetts supplier of frozen conch/whelk meat also participated in Food Export-Northeast’s Branded Program to further develop its China and Singapore export markets last year. 

As a result of participating in the Seafood Buyers Mission, Ocean C Star established new distributorships in Saudi Arabia and Hong Kong which resulted in export sales amounting to $443,000. The supplier also received a trade lead through the Online Product Catalog from a Hong Kong buyer which resulted in an export sale of $250,000. 

With the allocated Branded Program funds, the company participated at trade shows in Singapore and China where they gained 25 new buyer introductions in each country. It is too early to report new export sales, but Ocean C Star has ongoing discussions with the foreign buyers. Dragon Yang, Production Manager at Ocean C Star, noted that whelk is a very popular dish in China and is widely sought after for its sweet and rich taste. It is used in a variety of dishes, and they are able to display their products and draw potential clients while at these international trade shows. 

Ocean C Star LLC is relatively new to Food Export-Northeast programs and services with its first participation in 2023.   

Branded Program Success

25 Buyer Introductions

A company headquartered in the U.S.

Northeast Region

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Each year, hundreds of U.S. suppliers participate in the Food Export–Midwest and Food Export–Northeast’s programs. As a result, companies are successful at generating new export sales, establishing new distributorship, expanding their production facilities,
and hiring additional employees. Read the Success Stories to learn more!

If your company has a success to share, email us at info@foodexport.org.

 

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