Best seafood packaging solutions for global exports
Exporting seafood is a delicate operation - and packaging plays a pivotal role in its success. From maintaining temperature control to meeting food safety regulations, the right seafood packaging can make the difference between a shipment that arrives in perfect condition and one that risks costly spoilage or delays.
For seafood exporters, it’s not just about keeping products protected; it’s about balancing compliance, durability, sustainability, and cost-efficiency - all while navigating complex logistics.
In this guide, we explore the essential qualities of effective best seafood export packaging, and the key factors businesses should consider when choosing the right solution.
What makes great seafood packaging?
Choosing the right packaging for seafood exports is about more than just keeping products protected; it’s about ensuring freshness, safety and meeting market demands.
Below are the key factors that effective seafood export packaging should deliver:
- Temperature control: Reliable seafood packaging for export must maintain the cold chain throughout transit, helping product to remain fresh and safe from spoilage.
- Leak protection: Secure, leak-proof packaging prevents contamination and shields both the seafood and surrounding fish shipping boxes from moisture or spills.
- Strength and durability: Seafood packaging boxes must withstand stacking, compression, moisture, and handling without breaking or collapsing during transport.
- Compliance: Packaging materials must meet strict food standards and export regulations to ensure safety and smooth shipping.
- Cost-effectiveness: Lightweight, space-efficient seafood export packaging reduces shipping costs, without compromising protection.
- Sustainability: Sustainable seafood packaging is a growing priority for retailers, regulators, and supply chain partners. In fact, 98% of food-industry professionals say they are committed to reducing plastic packaging, with 60% working toward clear targets within the next two years (Food & Wine). It's clear to see that businesses are actively prioritising recyclable, lower-impact materials as part of their long-term strategy.
Packaging priorities for exporting seafood
Before selecting a seafood export packaging solution, it’s important to understand the specific requirements of your product and supply chain. From fish type to destination country, every detail matters.
Key considerations include:
- Product type: Different seafood, whether you’re shipping whole fish, fillets, or live shellfish, has unique packaging needs, especially around temperature control and handling.
- Shipping method: Packaging must adapt to the transport mode - air freight requires leak-proof, pressure-resistant boxes; sea freight relies on insulated or refrigerated containers for long journeys; and road transport needs durable packaging that maintains cold chain integrity.
- Destination country: Seafood export packaging must comply with the import regulations and sustainability standards of the destination country.
- Volume and frequency: A high volume of products or frequent exports requires cost-effective, scalable packaging solutions that don’t compromise on protection.
- End-of-life: The seafood packaging’s end-of-life needs to be considered, including how it will be disposed of after delivery.
Building seafood packaging for export success
Choosing the right seafood packaging isn’t just a logistics decision - it’s a strategic one. At Smurfit Westrock, our seafood packaging experts located at our Tannochside facility work closely with seafood exporters to deliver solutions that balance protection, compliance, and sustainability.
Get in touch today to discuss custom packaging solutions built for your seafood export business success.