In short
Businesses buy wholesale seafood in Australia as whole fish, fillets and portions, prawns graded by count, and shellfish, either chilled on ice or frozen as IQF or block product. Seafood specifications are stricter than most proteins: species, origin, count or size grade, glaze and net weight all need to be clear before you order. Protein Link lists seafood from verified suppliers in a structured format, with one clear buyer price per kilogram, ex GST.
Common wholesale seafood formats
- Whole fish, chilled on ice or frozen, sold gilled and gutted or whole round.
- Fillets and portions: skin-on or skinless, boneless, often with a weight range.
- Prawns: raw or cooked, whole or headless, shell-on or peeled, graded by count.
- Shellfish and molluscs, such as scallops, mussels and squid, chilled or frozen.
- Block frozen fish and seafood for manufacturing and processing.
Count grading for prawns
Prawns are graded by count: the number of prawns in a set weight. A lower count means bigger prawns. Counts are expressed per kilogram or per pound depending on the supplier and market, so confirm which one a listing uses before comparing prices. A “U10” grade, for example, means under ten prawns per pound.
Glaze and net weight
Frozen seafood is often protected with a thin layer of ice, called glaze. Glaze protects quality but adds weight. When comparing listings, check whether the weight and price are stated net of glaze, so you are paying for seafood, not water.
Species, origin and labelling
Seafood is sold by species, and trade names can be used loosely. The Australian Fish Names Standard sets standard fish names, and using them on a listing avoids confusion. Origin matters too: imported seafood must meet Australian biosecurity import conditions, and some customers and jurisdictions require origin information.
If wild-caught or farmed, Australian or imported, matters to your menu or labels, confirm it with the supplier.
Who buys wholesale seafood
Restaurants, clubs, pubs and caterers buy fillets, portions and prawns. Seafood processors and food manufacturers buy block frozen product and whole fish. Retailers buy display product chilled on ice. See wholesale for restaurants and hospitality.
Food safety and cold chain
Seafood deteriorates quickly, and the cold chain is less forgiving than with red meat. Under Standard 3.2.2 of the Food Standards Code, potentially hazardous food must be kept at 5°C or below, or 60°C or above. Frozen seafood should stay frozen until it is thawed under refrigeration.
Read chilled versus frozen wholesale meat and refrigerated freight in Australia.
What to specify when buying seafood
- Species, using its standard name, and product form.
- Count or size grade, and whether counts are per kilogram or per pound.
- Storage state: chilled on ice, frozen IQF or block frozen.
- Net weight, and whether it excludes glaze.
- Origin, and wild-caught or farmed.
- Production or catch date and remaining shelf life.
How seafood trades on Protein Link
Access is by application. Freight availability for chilled and frozen seafood on your lane is confirmed during onboarding.
- Verified suppliers publish structured listings: product, specification, storage state, pack format, available volume and one buyer price per kilogram, ex GST.
- Supplier base pricing is never shown to buyers. Buyers only see the platform price.
- Approved buyers submit an order request against a listing, and the supplier accepts it.
- Freight is quoted for that shipment and confirmed before the buyer pays.
- Payment runs through the platform, processed by Stripe.
- Buyer and supplier identities stay protected until the order reaches fulfilment.
Frequently asked questions
What does U10 mean on a prawn listing?
U10 means under ten prawns per pound, so each prawn is large. Count grades tell you how many prawns make up a set weight. Always check whether the count is per pound or per kilogram.
Is the price for frozen seafood net of glaze?
It should be clear on the listing. If it is not, ask the supplier to confirm the net weight before you order, because glaze can be a meaningful share of the gross weight.
Can I buy imported seafood on Protein Link?
Where a verified supplier lists imported product, yes. The listing should state origin. Importers are responsible for meeting Australian biosecurity conditions.
Is chilled seafood available on Protein Link?
Suppliers can list chilled and frozen seafood. Because chilled seafood needs fast delivery, freight for each shipment is quoted and confirmed before you pay.
Trade wholesale protein on better terms
Request access as a buyer or a supplier. Every business is reviewed before trading, and verification is free.