Augusta business Ocean Grown Abalone (OGA) last week released its quarterly update, with results showing a marked increase in sales and operation growth as well as an increase in OGAs product diversification.
“OGA remains focused on increasing sales in the fourth quarter of the 2018 financial year, primarily to the Asian markets but also to the Australian markets and beyond,” said Brad Adams, OGA Managing Director.
The ocean ranch-grown abalone product is highly revered across Asia, reflected in the push to increase production to meet demand.
OGA abalone sales were up 231 per cent with 30.8 tonnes of abalone harvested in the third quarter, up from from 9.4 tonnes at the same time last year. Sales were mostly to Asian markets, with sales to the Australian market representing 6 per cent of the total sales revenue.
“Whilst the bulk of the sales are individually quick frozen abalone, there has been a growing interest in whole in shell products, vacuum packs and gift packs which include a polished abalone shell,” Mr Adams said. “These new product lines are currently being showcased to the Asian markets.”
In February, in time for Chinese New Year, OGA released their Two Oceans Abalone retail-ready packs to supermarkets across China.
Last week, OGA attended Food & Hotel Asia 2018, Asias most comprehensive international food and hospitality trade event in Singapore. The new gift packs featuring the polished shell, and retail ready supermarket packs were showcased in partnership with one of Singapores largest frozen seafood importers, The Seafood Company.
Prompted by a recent visit from one of Japans largest seafood importers, Kyokuyo Co. Ltd, OGA will continue to develop value adding product lines.
“For example, exporting a whole frozen in shell product to Japan and utilising by products from the abalone processing, with the gut being used in food stock and soups, and shells used for medicinal purposes as well as gifts.
“As consumers the world over, look for a clean, green and sustainably produced product, OGA abalone continues to grow to meet this increase in demand.”
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Margaret River Mail
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