Vertically integrated seafood company Cooke Inc. – which owns and manages a range of seafood subsidiaries across the globe – is continuing to emphasize species and market diversification as it builds resiliency in global markets.
Cooke was founded in 1985 by the eponymous family as a small aquaculture company in Blacks Harbor, New Brunswick, Canada. Since that time, it has grown into the largest private family-owned seafood company in the world, with operations across multiple countries covering both wild-caught and aquaculture-raised seafood.
That broad distribution of products has been by design, Cooke Vice President of Public Relations Joel Richardson told SeafoodSource during the 2025 Seafood Expo North America (SENA), which ran from 16 to 18 March in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
“Cooke has really been focused on growing our distribution, particularly in the U.S.,” Richardson said.
Cooke has acquired a number of companies in the U.S. in recent years, including its purchase of Slade Gorton in 2023. Cooke CEO Glenn Cooke told SeafoodSource in 2022 the company’s overall goal is to own raw material – whether it be for fishing or farming – and be close to its customers.
Richardson said growth on the distribution side of the business has been key for that second goal.
“The growth on the distribution side been really important for the company, particularly for the U.S., but also in Europe where we’ve been making some inroads and getting some of our product to market,” he said. “Cooke has been focused both on market diversification but also on the distribution side of the business in the last number of years.”
That focus on diversifying – both in terms of products and the markets those products are being sold into – is coming after an initial focus on vertical integration. Cooke has worked to ensure its aquaculture operations are sourcing feed from its own companies – as demonstrated by its purchase of Omega Protein in 2017 and its more recent purchase of Copeinca in November 2024.
“That’s going to continue to be important,” Richardson said.
Species diversification is also key, and Richardson said the products Cooke was showcasing during this year's SENA were great examples of the fruits of its labors.
“We’ve got such a wide array of products available for our customers,” he said.
Cooke was showcasing those products in its largest-ever booth at the show, covering 3,100 square feet and multiple floors of space.
"Having a strong commercial team presence at SENA is more important than ever,” Glenn Cooke said. “This is where we connect directly with customers, showcase our innovative retail and wholesale products, and demonstrate our commitment to culinary excellence through chef-prepared tastings.”
The booth also featured new branding that touted its 40th anniversary, highlighting some of the diversification it has targeted across the decades.
“Our Cooke commercial team provides the ultimate customer experience, and the new booth reflects our global and culturally diverse footprint with operations in 15 countries,” Glenn Cooke said.
Richardson said that diversification and vertical integration helps ...
