The supply chain of Huifa lobster flavored balls from the factory to the dining table

Huifa Lobster Flavored Balls, a star frozen seafood ball for hot pot, oden, and mala tang, relies on Shandong Huifa Food Co., Ltd. (603536.SH)—a listed industrial leader—to build a fully closed-loop supply chain: from raw material sourcing and intelligent production, to cold-chain logistics, multi-channel distribution, and restaurant terminal delivery. Below is a full-chain breakdown.

1. Raw Material Sourcing: Strict Screening & Traceable Base Supply

Core Suppliers & Standards

Main Raw Materials: Alaska pollock surimi (wild-caught, low-temperature frozen), fresh shrimp meat, fish roe, natural lobster extract, non-GMO starch, and food-grade additives (compliant with GB 2760).

Sourcing Principles: 100% traceable raw materials; long-term contracts with certified marine product bases in Shandong, Liaoning, and Fujian; all suppliers pass ISO 9001/22000 and HACCP audits.

Quality Control: Each batch of raw materials undergoes microbiological testing (bacteria, mold) and heavy metal screening (Pb, As); unqualified materials are rejected directly.

Key Features

Stable Supply: 5 self-owned production bases in Zhucheng, Shandong, with a monthly capacity of 100,000 cartons to avoid stockouts.

Cost Control: Centralized bulk purchasing cuts costs by 8-12% vs. small suppliers.

2. Intelligent Factory Production: Automated Lines & Zero-Contact Processing

Production Base & Scale

Headquarters: Zhucheng, Shandong (400,000 m² plant area, 60+ automated production lines, annual output 200,000 tons).

Certifications: ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 22000 (food safety), HALAL (for Muslim restaurants), and SC production license SC11637078203420.

8-Step Standard Production Process

Thawing & Pretreatment: Low-temperature air thawing (0-4°C) to retain surimi elasticity; shrimp meat de-shelled and cleaned.

Precision Batching: Automated batching system (accuracy ±0.1%) for surimi, shrimp, roe, and lobster extract.

High-Speed Mixing: Vacuum kneading to remove air bubbles, ensuring a bouncy texture.

Extrusion & Forming: 12-hole automated forming machine, uniform 20g/ball; fish roe embedded for a crispy bite.

Quick Freezing: -35°C ultra-low-temperature tunnel freezing (30mins) to lock freshness and prevent ice crystal formation.

Metal Detection: All products pass a metal detector (Fe ≤1.5mm, SUS ≤2.5mm) to eliminate foreign matter risks.

Packaging: 2.5kg/bag (restaurant grade) or 1kg×10 bags/box; vacuum-sealed + outer carton, labeled with production date, shelf life, and traceability code.

Warehousing: Finished goods stored in -18°C automated cold storage, 12-month shelf life.

Core Advantages

Consistent Quality: Full automation reduces human error; texture, flavor, and size uniform across batches.

Safety Assurance: Zero-contact production; all data recorded in ERP/WMS for full traceability.

3. Cold-Chain Logistics: End-to-End Frozen & Real-Time Monitoring

Logistics Provider

Self-Owned + Partner Network: Shandong Huifa Logistics (wholly-owned subsidiary) + third-party cold-chain partners (e.g., Rongqing Logistics).

Fleet: 500+ refrigerated trucks (-18°C constant temperature), GPS + temperature sensors for real-time tracking.

Distribution Modes & Time

Factory → Regional Warehouse: Bulk transport (≥500kg), 24-48hrs from Zhucheng to North China/East China hubs.

Regional Warehouse → Local Distributor: Small-batch delivery (50-500kg), 12-24hrs within the province.

Distributor → Restaurant: Door-to-door delivery (1-50kg), 4-12hrs in urban areas.

Critical Control Points

Temperature Compliance: Strictly ≤-18°C throughout transit; temperature alarms trigger if exceeded.

Package Protection: Insulated foam boxes + dry ice/ice bags to maintain low temps during last-mile delivery.

4. Multi-Channel Distribution: 5 Official Channels Cover All Restaurant Scales

Channel 1: Factory Direct (Large Chains, ≥500kg/order)

Contact: Huifa Procurement Line 0536-6079688; Ms. Wency Wang 86-15634695-315.

Price: Lowest wholesale price; customizable packaging.

Suitable: Hot pot chains, group meals, large catering groups.

Channel 2: Regional Authorized Distributors (Medium Restaurants, 50-500kg/order)

Nationwide Coverage: North China (Manager Ge 18853659332), South China (Manager Zhao 18853659296), Northeast/Northwest/Henan (Manager Yang 18853659369).

Service: Door-to-door delivery, volume discounts, localized after-sales.

Channel 3: Official E-Commerce Flagships (Small Restaurants/Trials, 1-10 bags/order)

Platforms: JD/Tmall/Douyin “Huifa Fresh Food Official Store”.

Specs: 2.5kg/bag (restaurant pack); 48hrs delivery, no MOQ.

Channel 4: Catering B2B Platform (Chain Specialty Stores, 100–500kg/order)

Features: Restaurant-grade packaging, mixed ordering with other Huifa products (fish balls, shrimp slides), HALAL certification available.

Channel 5: Authorized Frozen Food Wholesale Markets (Local Small Restaurants, 5-50kg/pickup)

Locations: Major frozen markets in Qingdao, Jinan, Shanghai, Guangzhou.

Verification: Look for Huifa authorized plaque and SC license number.

Anti-Counterfeiting Tips

Check SC11637078203420 on packaging; verify Huifa logo and “Made in Zhucheng, Shandong” label.

Avoid prices 10%+ lower than official channels (high counterfeit risk).

5. Restaurant Terminal: Storage & Cooking Best Practices

Receiving & Storage

Inspection: Check package integrity, production date, and frozen state (no thawing).

Storage: -18°C freezer, shelf life 12 months; once opened, use within 3 months (sealed tightly).

Prohibition: Do not refreeze after thawing (affects texture and safety).

Cooking Application

Hot Pot/Oden: Boil in broth for 3-5 mins until floating; bouncy texture with fish roe crunch.

Mala Tang/Stir-Fry: Add directly during cooking; absorbs flavors well.

Soup/Stew: Simmer 5-8 mins for umami-rich broth.

6. Full-Chain Value & Competitive Edge

Safety & Traceability: From raw material bases to restaurant tables, every link is traceable, compliant with national food safety standards.

Stable Supply & Cost-Effectiveness: Large-scale production + multi-channel distribution ensures stable stock and reasonable pricing for restaurants.

Consistent Quality: Intelligent production and strict quality control deliver uniform taste and texture, critical for restaurant reputation.

Brand Credibility: Backed by a listed company (Huifa Food), with complete certifications and official after-sales support.