In seafood catalogues and quotes, buyers meet four forms. Each suits a different kind of kitchen, transport distance and budget.
Live
Delivered alive, such as crab, lobster and sea snails. Live product keeps the best sweetness but needs fast, moist, cool transport and usually flies when exported. It is generally the most expensive form.
Fresh
Freshly caught or harvested product kept on ice or chilled, not frozen. It suits kitchens that use it within a day or a few days, such as restaurants close to the source.
Frozen
Frozen to keep longer and travel further, usually as individually quick frozen (IQF) pieces or blocks. It is the common form for supermarkets, canteens and sea freight because it stores well and makes quantities easy to plan.
Processed
Product that has been prepared or processed, such as boiled, steamed, filleted, marinated, dried or sun-dried. Processed seafood saves kitchen and retail time and creates regional specialities such as dried shrimp and dried squid.
Ordering by form
When you request a quote, state the form you need. On the Vina Seafood site every product lists its available forms, and the Live & fresh, Frozen and Processed filters help you find them quickly.
