Import Basa — Buy in wholesale FOB from Supplier in United States

Nickel Metals supplies frozen basa fillets and whole fish from its Houston, Texas distribution centre, targeting Gulf Coast buyers with direct-from-mill procurement. The listing specifies IQF freezing with -18°C storage and a 24-month shelf life, with Grade A classification and bulk packaging as standard options. The company handles mixed frozen vegetable and fruit lines alongside seafood, indicating broad cold-chain capacity rather than seafood-only specialisation. Typical basa for US import arrives as skinless, boneless fillets with white to pinkish flesh, though the exact cut style should be confirmed with the supplier.

Basa (Pangasius bocourti) is a freshwater catfish species farmed extensively in the Mekong Delta, though Nickel Metals sources through its established supply network rather than direct aquaculture. The fish has mild, flaky flesh with high moisture retention, making it suitable for aggressive seasoning and breading. IQF processing ensures individual fillets freeze rapidly, minimising cellular damage and drip loss during thawing. Standard industry grades for US-bound basa include colour, texture and odour assessments against HACCP benchmarks, with typical fillet sizes ranging 120-170g for foodservice and 170-230g for retail. The supplier notes OEM and Crop branding options, suggesting private-label capability for volume buyers.

Primary buyers include foodservice distributors, retail chains and seafood processors across the Gulf Coast and broader US market. Applications span breaded fillet products, casual dining plates, and further-processed seafood items where neutral flavour and competitive yield matter. Nickel Metals emphasises prompt regional delivery from its Houston location, though lead times for containerised import from overseas origin should be confirmed directly. Buyers should verify catch origin, farming method (pond versus cage), and whether ASC or BAP certification applies to specific lots.

Nickel Metals operates from 13003 Murphy Road in Stafford, Houston, Texas, positioning itself as a distribution centre rather than a manufacturer or processor. The business model centres on direct mill purchasing for frozen and dried food products, passing savings through to downstream customers. The company is listed as belonging to the USA stock market with registered operation documents, though no specific exchange ticker, registration number or verification body is named in the available profile. The response rate shows 0.00% with zero average response hours recorded, which may indicate a new listing, dormant account, or data capture issue rather than active operations.

The supplier's product scope extends well beyond seafood into frozen vegetables, fruits, meat, juices, canned goods, spices and dehydrated products. This breadth suggests a trading or import-distribution model rather than category-specific expertise. The Houston location is framed as a Gulf Coast logistics hub for faster stock delivery. No factory ownership, processing equipment, or vertical integration is claimed. Buyers should treat Nickel Metals as a distributor with sourcing networks rather than a primary producer, and verify current operational status given the zero response metrics.