Joining Ocean Choice’s international sales team in 2010, Azedine hit the ground running and has never looked back.
Azedine has come a long way since being hired to help build Ocean Choice’s frozen-at-sea, shell-on shrimp market in Eastern Europe. Today, in his role as International Sales Manager in Europe, he is now responsible for also selling to countries in southern Europe including Spain, Portugal and Greece.
“Frozen-at-sea shell-on shrimp harvested in Newfoundland and Labrador’s offshore fishery is praised and known for quality in the marketplace,” says Azedine.
Azedine’s main species of focus is shell-on shrimp, but he also sells squid, redfish, yellowtail flounder, American plaice and silver hake in eastern and southern Europe – all species that are harvested by the hundreds of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians employed on Ocean Choice’s fleet of offshore fishing vessels.
When asked what sets Ocean Choice apart, Azedine says that “Ocean Choice is known for its quality products and exemplary service. Having salespeople in and close to markets in Europe, allows the team to build strong, long-lasting relationships with customers. Being able to have face time with customers allows me to really get to know them, which helps me better meet their needs.”
Azedine beams with pride when he speaks about the success of expanding yellowtail flounder sales to customers in southern Europe, something that has been driven by the sustainable harvesting of the species.
Yellowtail flounder is an ideal species for markets where customers are increasingly conscious of the origins of the food on their plates, as it is a species that has been sustainably certified by the MSC since 2010. MSC is the most globally recognized program for wild sustainable seafood and meets the highest international guidelines for credible certification and eco labelling programs.
With sales offices in the Netherlands, Italy, the United States, Canada, China and Japan, Ocean Choice has a network of over 30 salespeople, selling a variety of species in over 30 countries worldwide, including 17 countries in Europe.
When Azedine is not selling Newfoundland and Labrador’s quality seafood to the world, he can be found playing sports, reading and spending time with his wife and two young children.
