Oakbrook, Illinois, USA-headquartered CenSea, a major frozen seafood importer and distributor acquired in February of 2024 by Captain Fresh, an online trading platform based in Karnataka, India, is rolling out CenSea Reserve, a premium shrimp brand targeting restaurant chefs and high-end buyers. The range, produced by the Minh Phu Seafood Group of Vietnam, features raw, easy-peel Vannamei shrimp in 8/12, 13/15 and 16/20 counts, and raw, easy-peel Black Tiger prawns in 13/15 and 16/20 counts.
“CenSea Reserve is the outcome of asking a very direct question: What does premium actually mean, and how do you make it repeatable at scale,” stated Nate Torch, co-president of CenSea. “The brand was built end to end, from how shrimp are raised to how they are frozen fresh at catch, with the goal of delivering a consistently superior product.”
“Minh Phu has always focused on farming and processing shrimp in ways that respect both nature and product quality. CenSea Reserve reflects that shared philosophy,” said Le Van Quang, chief executive officer of Minh Phu Seafood. “
“The launch of CenSea Reserve is a strategic move to disrupt the premium segment by moving beyond commodity claims. By leveraging Minh Phu’s unique aquaculture and processing breakthroughs, we are not just adding a SKU — we are creating a new gold standard,” said Jeff Stern, co-president of CenSea. “Our goal has always been to provide the highest quality seafood, and this new brand represents the pinnacle of that mission.”
Founded in Chicago in 1960 as Central Seaway, CenSea has grown from a small family-run business to become a leading importer and distibutor of a wide assortment of frozen seafood products from nearly 25 countries to retailers, foodservice operators and further processors in the North American market and beyond.
Since 1992, Minh Phu Seafood has scaled from a small operation to a global shrimp powerhouse with customers spanning the globe from North America and Europe to Australia, New Zealand, East Asia, the Middle East and beyond.
