Tiger Prawns Wholesale Supplier in the UK
Never frozen black tiger prawns in 11/20, 21/30 and 31/40 count sizes — programme-based B2B supply to UK importers, wholesalers, processors and food-service buyers.
Tiger Prawns Wholesale UK — B2B Supply Overview
Brookstone Trade supplies never frozen black tiger prawns to UK importers, wholesalers, processors, restaurant groups and food-service operators on a programme basis. Our black tiger prawns (Penaeus monodon) are sourced from approved facilities in Sri Lanka, handled under strict chilled conditions, and exported to the UK without freezing at any stage of the supply chain — making them genuinely never frozen product, not thawed and re-described.
Tiger prawns wholesale UK supply is a commercial category distinct from retail. B2B buyers purchase by count size — the standard trade measure of prawn sizing — and agree supply programmes covering volume, delivery frequency, shell presentation, packing and logistics. Brookstone Trade structures all prawn supply this way, working with buyers to confirm the right count size and format for their intended end use before shipment is agreed.
Never frozen tiger prawns are the premium supply format for restaurants, sushi concepts, seafood retail counters and chilled food-service programmes. The absence of freezing preserves the natural muscle structure, fresh ocean flavour and firm snap of the prawn — qualities that are significantly diminished in thawed product and that professional chefs and discerning wholesale buyers actively seek. For a tiger prawn importer UK or wholesale distributor supplying quality-focused accounts, never frozen black tiger prawns are the appropriate sourcing standard.
Buyers sourcing a broader range of chilled Indian Ocean species alongside tiger prawns may also be interested in our reef fish supplier UK page, which covers snapper, grouper, emperor, barramundi, cobia, blue swimming crab and a full range of Sri Lankan and Indian Ocean seafood species.
Understanding Tiger Prawn Count Sizes
Count size is the primary way the wholesale prawn industry grades and trades product. It refers to the number of individual prawns per pound weight (approximately 454 g). A lower count number means a larger prawn; a higher count means a smaller prawn. This sizing system is specific to the B2B and wholesale trade — it does not appear on retail products, where descriptors like "large" or "jumbo" are used without precise standardisation.
For buyers sourcing tiger prawns wholesale UK on a commercial basis, knowing the count size is essential for correct ordering, portion costing and menu planning. Brookstone Trade supplies the following count sizes:
The largest commercial count size available. Premium grade for fine-dining menus, sushi platters and high-value restaurant presentations. Each prawn is substantial in size, delivering strong plate presence. Suited to buyers supplying upscale restaurants, hotel dining, seafood specialists and premium hospitality groups.
The most widely traded count size across the UK wholesale and food-service market. A commercially versatile grade used across restaurant supply, retail counters, buffet catering, prawn cocktail formats and casual dining menus. The standard size for most commercial tiger prawn wholesale programmes.
A smaller, high-volume grade suited to catering operations, food-service portion dishes, retail pre-packing and buyers where per-portion cost efficiency is a primary requirement. Commonly used in high-throughput catering, pub kitchens and commercial food manufacturing applications.
Other count sizes can be discussed depending on sourcing availability and programme volume. Buyers who are unsure which count size suits their programme are encouraged to confirm their intended end use and portion requirements at the outset of the supply discussion.
Available Formats and Presentations
Tiger prawn wholesale UK supply is available in a range of shell and processing presentations. The appropriate format depends on the buyer's end use — whether that is restaurant kitchen preparation, retail packing, wholesale redistribution or catering manufacture. All format specifications are confirmed as part of the supply programme before shipment.
Whole prawn for retail display and restaurant whole-prawn presentation
Standard wholesale format; shell-on for cooking, head removed
Shell scored for quick removal; suits retail packing and buffet supply
Ready for kitchen use; standard for food-service and further processing
Peeled shell removed; deveining handled by buyer or processor on receipt
Available cooked shell-on or cooked peeled across most count sizes
Individual pack weights, master carton configuration and labelling requirements can all be agreed as part of the programme. Buyers with specific retail-ready or foodservice-specific packaging needs should raise these at the outset.
Blue Swimming Crab 250 g+
Blue swimming crab (Portunus pelagicus), available at 250 g and above per whole crab, is a complementary crustacean product sourced alongside tiger prawns from Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean region. For UK buyers active in crustacean wholesale or Asian food-service supply, blue swimming crab represents a consistent-volume product with strong demand across Chinese, South Asian and Southeast Asian restaurant trade.
The 250 g+ size grade is the primary commercial threshold for whole crab supply — smaller crab has limited food-service application, whereas 250 g and above delivers usable meat yield for steaming, serving whole, or dressing for premium restaurant presentation. Crabs in the 300–500 g range are particularly well suited to restaurant programmes where whole-crab serving formats are standard.
Buyers can combine blue swimming crab supply with tiger prawn programmes where their customer base overlaps across crustacean categories. This is typical for importers supplying Chinese seafood restaurants, Vietnamese food-service accounts, Asian supermarkets or crab processors producing dressed crab, crab clusters or pasteurised crabmeat.
Who We Supply
UK Importers and Wholesalers
Tiger prawn importers UK distributing to downstream wholesale accounts, ethnic retailers, fishmongers and food-service buyers need consistent count size, presentation and cold-chain standard. We support programme supply with agreed specifications and delivery cadence, focused on buyers at commercial scale rather than one-off orders.
Restaurants and Hospitality Groups
Never frozen black tiger prawns are the standard for quality-focused restaurant supply. 11/20 count for premium menus, 21/30 for restaurant-volume supply across casual dining, sushi and seafood concepts. We discuss prawn programmes with restaurant groups, hotel dining operations and hospitality procurement teams seeking a consistent and traceable supply.
Food-Service and Catering Operators
Food-service buyers sourcing tiger prawns 21/30 supplier UK or 31/40 wholesale UK for high-volume kitchen supply, portion dishes or catering output benefit from programme-based ordering. We support buyers operating at scale where volume predictability, consistent sizing and reliable delivery scheduling matter.
Processors and Retail Packers
Buyers using tiger prawns as raw material for further processing — peeling, breading, value-added lines or retail pack programmes — need consistent count size grading and agreed product specifications. We work with processors from the outset to confirm size, presentation, handling standards and pack configuration appropriate to the production line.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do count sizes 11/20, 21/30 and 31/40 mean for tiger prawns?
Count sizes are the industry-standard way of expressing prawn size for B2B buyers. The numbers refer to how many individual prawns are contained in one pound (approximately 454 g) of product. 11/20 means 11 to 20 prawns per pound — the largest and most premium size grade. 21/30 means 21 to 30 prawns per pound — the most widely traded commercial size for restaurants and food-service. 31/40 means 31 to 40 prawns per pound — a smaller, high-volume size suited to catering, retail packing and portion-controlled dishes. This count-based system is used exclusively in the wholesale and B2B trade, not on consumer retail packs.
What does 'never frozen' mean for tiger prawns?
Never frozen tiger prawns are prawns that have been handled, processed and transported under chilled conditions only, without any freezing at any stage of the supply chain from catch to delivery. This preserves the natural texture, flavour and appearance of the prawn in a way that a thawed frozen product cannot replicate. Never frozen product is the standard for premium food-service, sushi restaurant supply and high-end seafood retail. Brookstone Trade sources never frozen black tiger prawns from approved facilities in Sri Lanka to supply UK trade buyers requiring chilled prawn programmes.
Which tiger prawn size is most suitable for restaurants?
The 21/30 count size is the most commonly requested grade for UK restaurant and food-service supply. It provides a commercially practical prawn size — large enough for strong plate presence and portion value, available at volumes suited to programme-based restaurant supply. The 11/20 count is preferred for premium presentations, fine-dining menus and high-value sushi concepts. The 31/40 count is typically used in catering operations, buffet supply and food-service accounts where per-portion cost is a primary consideration.
Can you supply black tiger prawns wholesale UK on a programme basis?
Yes. Black tiger prawns wholesale UK supply is structured on a programme basis rather than ad hoc orders. Programme supply means agreeing the count size, shell presentation, raw or cooked status, delivery frequency and volume in advance. This gives both parties predictability and allows Brookstone Trade to plan sourcing and cold-chain logistics around the buyer's operational needs. Contact us to discuss your prawn volume profile and programme requirements.
What shell presentations are available for wholesale tiger prawns?
Tiger prawns can be supplied head-on shell-on (HOSO), headless shell-on (HLSO), peeled and deveined (PD), peeled undeveined (PUD) and easy-peel shell-on depending on buyer requirement. Raw and cooked options are available across most presentations. The appropriate format depends on the buyer's intended use — whole prawns for display, peeled for kitchen preparation, easy-peel for retail packing or cooked shell-on for hospitality buffet programmes.
Do you supply blue swimming crab alongside tiger prawns?
Yes. Blue swimming crab (250 g and above) is available as a complementary crustacean product alongside tiger prawn programmes. Blue swimming crab is supplied as whole chilled crab and is suited to Asian restaurant supply, seafood processors and wholesale buyers distributing to ethnic retail and food-service accounts. Buyers sourcing crustaceans across both species can discuss combined programme supply.
Related Seafood Pages
Discuss Your Tiger Prawn Supply Requirements
If you are looking for a tiger prawn importer UK or a black tiger prawns wholesale UK supplier for programme-based B2B supply, contact Brookstone Trade with your required count size (11/20, 21/30 or 31/40), shell presentation, estimated weekly volume and delivery profile. We will respond with suitability and next steps.
Start a Supply Enquiry