Ocean Planet: a world of chilled and frozen foods

In Malaysia, Ocean Planet manufactures chilled and frozen food for the restaurant industry and for retail. The business began as a supplier of chilled fish and seafood in 1976. They started producing fishmeal-based, Halal dim sum and other frozen food products in 2004, forming Ocean Planet, with staff of 30.  Now its product offers include an extensive ready-to-cook product range, including dumplings, spring rolls, seafood cake, fish cake, buns, and pastries. The products have JAKIM certification, the Malaysian Halal standard.

To produce its dim sum and other items, fillings are first made, followed by skins or shells. These are packaged using the company’s own brand of packaging materials and frozen using fast freeze technology at -40 degrees Celsius to preserve the quality. Within four hours the food products are frozen. These are distributed to restaurants and retail shops. The company also accepts OEM orders.

About 80% of Ocean Planet's output are sold locally and the rest are sold in Singapore and Myanmar.  Director Tan Boon Hooi says that there is strong competition within Malaysia and overseas, mainly from China and Viet Nam.

Rising production costs is another another challenge but Mr. Hooi said they try to maintain quality and low price despite this. He added that reputation of Malaysian companies is good, and that the outlook for 2014 is optimistic due to high demand for chilled and frozen convenience foods.  This he said is due to difficulties to procure manpower and most restaurants now use prepared frozen products rather than make it from scratch.  He hopes to expand their overseas market in 2014, specially in Dubai, China and Hong Kong.

Tan Boon Hooi

Director, Ocean Planet Food Products Sdn Bhd

316 Jalan C.Y. Choy 10300 Georgetown Penang, Malaysia

E: oceanpg1@gmail.com

T: +6042626316

F: +6042624798