On the morning of June 24th, three trucks loaded with prefabricated croaker dishes slowly departed from Shantou Guanhai Aquatic Technology Co., Ltd., heading to Italy. This marks the first time Chaoshan's specialty prefabricated croaker dishes have been exported to the European market. The addition of this new "Shantou delicacy" to the international market signifies another recognition of Shantou cuisine globally.
Chaoshan croaker, known for its delicate meat and outstanding nutritional value, is particularly prized for the fish maw extracted from its belly, comparable to a bird's nest and shark fin. The prefabricated croaker dishes exported to Europe were developed collaboratively by Shantou Guanhai Aquatic Technology and Guangdong Yuedong Technician College, showcasing a successful school-enterprise collaboration.
Shantou Guanhai Aquatic Technology has been deeply involved in aquaculture, processing, and international trade for many years, especially in the areas of golden pomfret and bullfrog products, continuously driving the income growth and development of local farmers.
Currently, the annual output of Chaoshan croaker is approximately 75,000 tons, with an output value of around 3 billion yuan. Mr. Ke Ruicheng, Chairman of Shantou Guanhai Aquatic Technology, stated that successfully entering the European market has greatly boosted farmers' confidence in expanding production. The total industrial chain output value is expected to reach 10 billion yuan within five years. The company plans to use big data and digital technology to enhance production efficiency and management, further expanding domestic and international markets, and allowing more consumers to taste the delicious and nutritious Chaoshan croaker.
In recent years, with the rapid development of the prefabricated dish industry, Chinese prefabricated dishes have embarked on a new "Age of Discovery". Aquatic prefabricated dishes have become a hot trend in overseas markets. As a high-quality, nutritious, and uniquely flavored food with cultural significance, Chaoshan croaker prefabricated dishes have emerged in this context.
Mr. Chen Shaojun, head of the culinary department at Guangdong Yuedong Technician College and leader of a national-level culinary skills master studio, introduced that the college began collaborating with enterprises in 2022 on the "Cantonese Chef + Prefabricated Dishes" development project. The enterprise provided cooking materials, while the college's teaching team offered technical guidance. They developed 21 varieties of prefabricated dishes based on the characteristics of the croaker, making full use of the raw materials and enhancing the added value of the croaker. The entry of Chaoshan croaker prefabricated dishes into the European market will further promote the brand, increasing its visibility and allowing European consumers to experience the exquisite, healthy, and delicious Chaoshan cuisine.
Source | Yangcheng Evening News
