Macgregors Seafood Notes

Impressions of Vietnam/Thailand
Been almost a decade since I have been to Thailand. Much has changed, would be a simplification. Of course much has changed. I was struck by the over-all cleanliness of the Bangkok waterway system. Young children swimming, Orchid gardens, Buddhist temples, open markets, and the magnificent mangrove areas. Most improved in the city centre was clearly the air quality. By North American big city standards, it seemed above par to me. Especially, when you consider the two temperatures I experienced; 38 degrees Celsius and 39 degrees...yikes was it hot!

The over-head tram system no doubt having a terrific positive impact. Gone are the face masks, the dust, most of the traffic congestion, although the locals still complain, not much different to the Toronto chaos!

In the Seafood world, more the same than different. Certainly, today 95% of the shrimp farms in Thailand are Intensively farmed white shrimp. Last time I was there, the black tiger ruled. Today, the faster growing white shrimp has taken over Thailand shrimp farms.

Vietnam, very much a rural country. Commerce centers around the busy streets, with store fronting on all major and most minor thoroughfares. Motorcycles and bicycles still rule the roads making travel pretty slow by road. I spent my time in the Camau region of Vietnam where our Extensively produced "Just shrimp" program comes from. Vietnam too is switching to white shrimp farming, but the Camau region is uniquely located in a region where "Extensive" or a natural shrimp can be grown largely based upon natural growing and feeding cycles within the Mangrove regions.

"Just Shrimp" is macgregors first efforts in importing a shrimp that does not go through a phosphate treatment, nor a salt bath. The shrimp have a much more natural "crunch", and the flavour profile is without the traditional "chemical" taste. Time will tell if the Canadian food-service market is ready for this. We think it is.
Mr. Fish