Buying Tips & Suppliers

Prices vary from supply, demand and season. Prawns are sold in grades by their size.
Compare the price per serve, not the price per kilo. A standard serving of prawns, where they are the main component of the dish, is 6 large prawns, while only around 3-4 per serve are required in a dish like a laksa or risotto.
Fresh wild caught prawns at Sydney Fish Market

Why choose Australian wild prawns?

Australian wild prawns are safe to eat, healthy and nutritious, easy to access, sourced from Australia’s environmentally sustainable oceans – not to mention that they taste fantastic.

In every mouthful you will experience the pleasure of tasting the sweet, juicy and slightly salty firm flesh from pristine clear waters.  Prawns can be used in nearly any dish including curries, stir-fries, crumbed, garlic sauce, salads, pasta and the personal favourite of fishermen – ‘natural’. You can even use them to compliment other dishes! 

When you buy Australian prawns, you are buying with confidence. Prawns are available for all of your catering purposes from suppliers listed below.

Prawn Buying Tips

Green Prawns or Cooked?

Prawns are sold either green (uncooked) or cooked. Cooked prawns will generally have a light pink to orange colour about them. They are ready to be peeled and eaten straight away or put into your favourite dish.

Green prawns come both fresh and frozen (but most commonly frozen and thawed for your convenience). Ask your retailer when buying as it is not recommended to re-freeze thawed prawns. Well-managed frozen prawns are every bit as tasty as fresh prawns and in some cases they can even be fresher as larger vessels catch, cook and freeze onboard.

To keep that delicious fresh sea taste when thawing your frozen prawns (both cooked & green) it is recommended to swim the product in a light brine (salty iced water). Add sea salt to a tub of icy water, taste it, and when you think it tastes like the sea toss in your frozen prawns to thaw.

What to look for?

You can use sight, smell and touch to judge the quality of prawns. First appearance – Look carefully for discolouration or dryness and any unnatural residue or slime on the surface of the prawn. Make sure they are complete – not with missing heads or broken legs. Give them a good smell – fresh prawns smell like the ocean. If you detect a hint of ammonia, then best to avoid them.

Unless you are buying an Endeavour Prawn, which has a naturally dark head, avoid prawns with dark or discoloured heads.

Big Money Saving Tip

Good retailers will sell prawns in pre packaged 1.5 and 3 kilo frozen boxes. These will last up to 18 months in your freezer. This dramatically lowers the cost per kilo for you, and all you need to do is thaw enough prawns at the time for each dish you make. Frozen prawns keep well. This makes it easy to have prawns say, once a month, and it ends up being very affordable per kilo.

Whenever you’re at a loss for what to make for dinner, head over to our prawn recipes section, defrost some of those prawns and have a easy, healthy inexpensive meal.

Australian Wild Prawns Suppliers by State

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

Austral Fisheries Pty Ltd

Outlet: Suite 1.1, Sydney Fish Markets, Bank Street, PYRMONT
Email: sydney@australfisheries.com.au
Phone: 02 9660 3199
Fax: 02 9660 3255

Clarence River Fishermen’s Co-operative Ltd

Delivery is also available.
Email: sales@crfc.com.au
Outlet: 51-55 River Street, Maclean
Phone: 02 6645 0955

Kailis Bros

Suite 5.05, 55 Miller Street Pyrmont NSW 2009
Email: info@kailisbros.com.au
Phone: 02 8570 6300
Fax: 02 9552 3223

Poulos Bros Seafood Pty Limited

21-29 Bank Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Email: info@poulosbros.com.au
Phone: 02 9692 8411
Fax: 02 9692 9934

Allseas Foods

Outlet: Sydney Fish Markets, Bank Street, Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Email: allseas@poulosbros.com.au
Phone: 02 9660 6241
Fax: 02 9552 4990

Peter’s Fish Market

Outlet: Shop 4 – On the Waterfront, Sydney Fish Markets, Bank Street, Blackwattle Bay, Pyrmont NSW 2009
Email: petersfishmarket@poulosbros.com.au
Phone: 02 9552 2555
Fax: 02 9660 4447

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

NQ Marina Fresh Seafood

Outlet: 3 Sandspit Drive, South Townsville, Qld 4810
Email: sales@nqmfs.com.au
Phone: 07 4772 1565
Fax: 07 4772 7280

Kailis Bros

Unit 19 Corner Aquarium and Lytton Road Hemmant QLD 4174
Email: info@kailisbros.com.au
Telephone: 07 3890 7957
Fax: 07 3890 7192

North Queensland Trawlers

16 Redden St Portsmith QLD 4870
Phone: 07 4035 1989

Moreton Bay Seafoods

7 Snook St., Clontarf Qld 4019
Email: sales@morsea.com.au
Phone: 07 3883 1813
Fax: 07 3283 1641

Australian Ocean King Prawn Company

1-7 Ellengowan St, Urangan, Hervey Bay, QLD, 4655
Email: stephen@oceankingprawns.com.au
Phone: 07 4125 4823
Mobile: 0418 726 414
Fax: 07 4125 6344

Sea Traders

53 Steel Place, Morningside QLD 4170
Email: seatraders@poulosbros.com.au
Telephone: (07) 3899 1218
Fax: (07) 3899 1600

Urangan Fisheries

Paul Hodson
Email: paulhodson@uranganfisheries.com.au
Phone: 07 4125 1077
Fax: 07 4125 3224
Mobile: 0408 062 425

Gladstone & Hervey Bay Ocean Pacific Seafoods

Moffat Street, Port Bundaberg Queensland 4670
Email: info@oceanpacificseafood.com.au
Phone: 07 4159 5044
Fax: 07 4159 5088

Mackay Reef Fish Supplies Pty Ltd

2 River Street, Mackay, Queensland 4740
E-mail: sales@mackayreeffish.com
Phone: 07 4957 6497
Fax: 07 4957 2043

Cardinal Seafoods Pty Ltd

93 Prosperity Place, Geebung, QLD 4034
Email: paul@cardinal.com.au
Phone: 07 3865 1665
Fax: 07 3865 1664

Morgans Seafood Market

Bird of Passage Parade – Scarborough Boat Harbour, Brisbane, Queensland 4020
Email: info@morganseafood.com.au
Phone 07 3203 4592

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

NT Fish Pty Ltd

Outlet: 23 Raphael Road, Winellie, Northern Territory 8000
E-mail: sales@mackayreeffish.com
Phone: 07 4957 6497
Fax: 07 4957 2043

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

Angelakis Brothers

Central Market Arcade
Gouger Street, Adelaide
Phone: 08 8400 1370

Burnside Village

Shop 60, 447 Portrush Road, Glenside
Phone: 08 8379 6699

Centro Colonnades

Shop 25, 52 Beach Road, Noarlunga Centre
Phone: 08 8384 4322

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

Australian Bight Seafoods

Aussea seafood products are available at a number of locations and can be delivered, please contact Terry Richardson for further information.
Outlet: Pine Freezers Road, Port Lincoln, SA
Phone: 08 8682 2333

Nick’s Fish Market

187 Adelaide Road, Murray Bridge
Phone: 08 8532 3256

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

 

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

Kailis Bros

Outlet: Suite 1/124-126 Church Street, Brighton
Email: info@kailisbros.com.au
Phone: 03 9593 1531
Fax: 03 9593 1542

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

A Raptis & Sons

Stores are located throughout Australia, please contact: Tony Hurley for more information.
Phone: 07 3249 7888

 

Austral Fisheries Pty Ltd

Email: austral@australfisheries.com.au
Phone: 08 9202 2444
Fax: 08 9443 7750

Correia Fishing Company

Outlet: 2 Mews Road, Fremantle WA
Phone: 08 9335 6674

Focus Fisheries (Famous Australian Seafood)

Outlet: Unit 2, 146 Carrington Street, O’Connor, WA, 6163
Phone: 08 9314 2600

Kailis Bros – Leederville

Outlet: 101 Oxford Street, Leederville WA
Email: shop@kailisbrosleederville.com.au
Phone: 08 9443 6300
Fax: 08 9443 6299

Kailis Bros – Perth 

Outlet: 23 Catalano Road Canning Vale, Perth WA
Email: info@kailisbros.com.au
Phone: 08 9455 8500
Fax: 08 9455 2556

MG Kailis Group Exmouth Prawns Seafood Store

Outlet: 23 Catalano Road Canning Vale, Exmouth WA
Email: info@kailisbros.com.au
Phone: 08 99492576
Fax: 08 99491032

Norwest Seafoods

Outlet: U18/31 Stockdale Rd, O’Connor WA 6163
Phone: 08 93376435
Fax: 08 93376420

Ricciardi Ocean Products

Outlet: 24 Mews Road, Fremantle WA
Phone: 08 9335 9511

Ricciardi Seafoods

Outlet: 3 Darkan Avenue, North Coogee WA
Phone: 08 9430 4677

Shark Bay Seafoods

Outlet: 307 South Terrace, South Fremantle
Phone: 08 4104 79535

Northern Star Ocean Products

Outlet: 69 George Street, East Fremantle
Phone: 08 9319 1955

South Australian Prawn Co-operative

54 London Road
Mile End, Adelaide SA 5031

Local, interstate and international supply, call Terry Richardson on 0400002410 or email terryr@aussea.com.au

Image credit: De Costi Seafoods, Sydney Fish Market