South Australian-based Yumbah specialises in farming abalone, oysters and mussels. In 2025, the company acquired Clean Seas, adding Spencer Gulf Kingfish to its market lineup. The combined range creates volume and will help the company market Australian seafood in Europe.
Yumbah has 2 competitive advantages. Chefs like Yumbah's fast-freeze technology. This means seafood arrives in a near-perfect state of freshness. Consumers like the backstory. Yumbah seafood is traceable to the cool, pristine coastal waters of southern Australia.
'Our abalone are certified free of chemicals, antibiotics and hormones,' says Nicole Marshall, Head of Marketing, Yumbah. 'Australian aquaculture produces amazing seafood that suits different needs in premium markets. For us, Europe is about identifying opportunities.'
Premium Australian seafood from crystal-clear waters
Yumbah was founded in Narrawong, Victoria in 2000 as a premium producer of high-quality Greenlip Abalone. Today it is a vertically integrated company with a growing seafood portfolio. Its flagship product - Australian Greenlip Abalone - is prized by international chefs.
Sustainability and traceability give Yumbah a global competitive advantage.
'We farm a native species of abalone that is unique to Australia, and all our farms are located in pristine coastal stretches,' says Marshall. 'Our abalone are carefully monitored, and their nutrition was devised by our in-house research and development team.'
Besides abalone, Yumbah also farms premium oysters and mussels. The oysters are sourced from the company's own farms and a trusted network of growers across New South Wales, South Australia and Tasmania.
'What unifies our seafood is high standards,' says Marshall. 'Our oyster farm in Tasmania became the first in Australia to achieve Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification. The program certifies every step in farming and production.'
Yumbah's Greenlip Abalone are farmed in pristine coastal stretches.
Acquisition creates 'seafood basket' global offering
In August 2025, Yumbah acquired another Australian seafood icon - Clean Seas. With an expanded range that now includes finfish, the company is focused on expanding into new markets in Europe, North America and Asia.
Clean Seas already had a great advantage. The company's Spencer Gulf Kingfish is a hit with chefs in Europe and around the world.
'Our kingfish are typically 4 to 5 kilos, and that's helped us get into premium sashimi markets,' says Fleur Steenbergen, Global Marketing Coordinator, Yumbah. 'The fish are certified by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC) and fully traceable - from the specific pen of origin to harvest, processing, packaging, storage and dispatch.'
Technology is also a differentiator. Yumbah uses suspended animation freezing (SAF) to flash freeze abalone and liquid nitrogen technology to preserve kingfish in a near, fresh-caught state.
'The result is a sashimi-grade product, once it is defrosted,' says Marshall. 'Our freezing technology makes Australian seafood an exceptional choice for chefs.'
Spencer Gulf Kingfish is a hit with chefs worldwide for its clean flavour profile.
Europe's premium seafood markets
Clean Seas brought an established European distribution network to the new, merged company.
'We've been growing the market for kingfish in Europe for more than 20 years,' says Steenbergen. 'We are very proud that our Spencer Gulf Kingfish feature on the menus of leading fine-dining restaurants worldwide.'
Steenbergen says the company has a competitive advantage in Europe. This is because its fish are sustainably raised in a high-energy location within the Spencer Gulf, where pristine water continuously flushes the sea farm.
'It is this pristine ocean water that gives our Yellowtail Kingfish its clean flavour profile, preferred by top chefs,' she says. 'These kingfish are indigenous to the Spencer Gulf, meaning they live and grow in their natural habitat.'
Austrade's Spain-based Business Development Manager, Manuel Berbara, agrees.
'Yumbah and Clean Seas are 2 iconic premium Australian seafood brands,' he says. 'Their BAP and ASC certifications are very important as European buyers and consumers are constantly looking for sustainable products.'
Barcelona: a seafood gateway to Europe
For Yumbah, Spain's annual seafood industry event - Seafood Export Global (SEG) - is a key route to market. Held in Barcelona in April each year, the expo attracts scores of Australian seafood exporters.
'SEG is an opportunity to pitch our expanded range to the European market,' says Marshall. 'We will be on the Austrade stand in 2026. This is an important chance to connect with buyers.'
SEG is also a chance to test new products.
'We are developing new types of pre-prepared seafood, and we want to explore new markets,' says Marshall. 'For example, we are experimenting with blanched, ready-to-eat mussels. This idea should appeal to chefs in busy kitchens.
'SEG also gives us the chance to survey the competitor landscape,' she adds. 'It is an opportunity to look, learn and innovate.'
Austrade helps seafood exporters locate fresh opportunities
Yumbah was part of the Australian pavilion at SEG in 2025. The pavilion is organised by Austrade.
'Austrade are fantastic export partners, and they help us position ourselves for the right audience,' says Marshall. 'They facilitate meetings and introductions to new customers.
'Austrade advisers also organise VIP dinners, sessions with state governments and break-out events. The on-stand chef means potential customers get to experience our seafood.'
'We look forward to continuing support for Yumbah in European markets,' adds Barbera. 'This includes Seafood Expo Global 2026 and beyond.'
Yumbah also works with Austrade in the UK. Bespoke events are designed to promote high-quality Australian seafood to opinion formers.
'We organise food and drink events in London with celebrity chefs,' says Karin van Wesep, Marketing Manager, Austrade (Europe). 'This means we can demonstrate how Australian seafood can be prepared in a very sophisticated way.
'For example, during 2026, we will invite up to 20 chefs to a lunch to sample seafood. This allows us to connect Australian seafood exporters to premium buyer networks.'
Zero tariffs to make UK more attractive in 2026
Market access in the UK is becoming easier.
The 2023 Australia-UK Free Trade Agreement eliminated the standard 25% tariff on UK imports of most frozen fish. Reduced tariffs on Australian molluscs and crustaceans remained. However, they fell to zero on 1 January 2026.
'We look forward to working with Austrade's business development managers to help us grow in the UK,' says Steenbergen. 'The agreement has helped us become more competitive.
'We already have a partnership with a major retailer in the US. With zero UK tariffs, we will likely target other major retailers in the UK during 2026.'
