Tampa Maid Foods is adding two new shrimp items to its Margaritaville brand of products.
The Lakeland, Florida, U.S.A.-based food manufacturer, which sports the Margaritaville, Harvest Creations, Mariner Jack, Ocean Innovations, Shrimp Jammers, and Cap’N Joe brands, said it plans to introduce two new Margaritaville products: Volcano Shrimp and Singin’ Spicy Breaded Shrimp.
Both new items will be debuted at booth #2656 at Seafood Expo North America (SENA), taking place from 16 to 18 March in Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
The “restaurant-quality products” can be easily and quickly prepared at home in the oven or air fryer, Tampa Maid Director of Marketing Jenny Doan told SeafoodSource.
"Even in turbulent economic times, consumers still seek small indulgences that bring pleasure and comfort. Value-added frozen seafood meets many consumer needs, including the desire to eat more meals at home to control spending and to choose healthier options,” she said.
Doan said prepared frozen seafood also reduces the risk and effort associated with cooking and preparation, making it a convenient and appealing option for consumers.
The new Singin’ Spicy Breaded Shrimp offers “the perfect balance of heat, meeting the growing consumer demand for spicy, crunchy foods,” Doan said. Shoppers can also customize the shrimp with a variety of sauces to suit individual tastes, she said. It complements Margaritaville’s other spicy option, Hot Honey Shrimp, which launched last year.
The Volcano Shrimp, which is stuffed with three cheeses and mild jalapenos in a crunchy coating, “is something you won't find easily made from scratch,” Doan said.
The two products retail for a suggested USD 8.99 (EUR 8.31) to USD 9.99 (EUR 9.23) each.
As Americans continue to be concerned about rising food prices and tariffs, Tampa Maid executives are taking note. They are “evaluating the impacts of the tariffs” and considering sourcing options to mitigate them, according to Doan.
At the same time, the outlook is bright for the seafood industry as consumers associate seafood with being a healthier option compared to other proteins, according to Doan.
“Interest in high-protein and healthy diets will continue to increase, benefitting the category,” she said.
In order to grow sales, retailers should continue to highlight the health benefits of seafood, particularly its high protein content, Doan said.
“With consumer snacking on the rise, retailers and manufacturers can better position seafood as a natural, protein-rich option that makes for a great snack,” she said.
