March 02, 2004

By: Taylor Kent
Website: http://www.1st-in-steaks.com

Leading U.S. Seafood distributor savors South African catch

Inland Seafood, the fourth largest U.S. seafood distributor, next week bites into South Africa’s world-famous snowy lobster tails. The Atlanta-based company is receiving its first shipment of the delicacy from Umoya Seafood, located near Cape Town.

South African lobster is known for its sweet and smooth meat, which tends to be whiter and more tender than other varieties. The lobsters thrive in the cold water and rocky shores of the country’s scenic and sparsely populated west coast.

Umoya Seafood, a black-owned small business, operates under the slogan, "Fishing for Change". The company belongs to a new generation of South African enterprises that have thrived since the end of apartheid 10 years ago.

Corporate Council on Africa President Stephen Hayes pointed to the deal as another sign of how business is growing in South Africa following the country’s transformation of the 1990s. In April, South Africa will celebrate its 10th anniversary as a democracy.

"Umoya sees this as an opportunity to grow its export abilities and diversify its markets with different product offerings," said Chris Nissen, Umoya’s CEO. Although the company never loses sight of the bottom line, it also invests in communities that derive their livelihood from fishing. Umoya sponsors children’s day care centers and a health clinic.

"The exceptional quality of South African lobster tails has been in high demand in the U.S. for 25 years. Now that opportunity can extended to black-owned enterprises", said Sas Mwine, president of Maryland-based Commerce Africa. Commerce Africa is Umoya’s U.S. agent and importer and secured the deal with Inland Seafood.

Also see: how to cook lobster tails

About The Author:

Taylor Kent is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-steaks.com.  Great tips on buying top quality meats, steaks and seafood from the finest ranchers and butchers.