Cooke Inc.

Founding and Early Growth

Cooke Inc. was established in 1985 in the small community of Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick, by Gifford Cooke and his sons Glenn and Michael. The enterprise began modestly with a single pen containing 5,000 farmed Atlantic salmon. This family-operated venture laid the groundwork for what would become a global seafood empire. For decades, the Cooke family guided the company's expansion from its New Brunswick roots, focusing initially on salmon aquaculture in Atlantic Canada. The company's foundational principles of family ownership and vertical integration were established during these early years, setting a course for sustained growth. The business remained privately held, allowing it to pursue long-term strategic goals without the pressures of public markets.

Expansion and Major Acquisitions

Cooke's growth accelerated significantly through an aggressive acquisition strategy, completing approximately 100 purchases since its founding. The company established a formal United States presence in 2015 by creating Cooke Seafood USA Inc. and acquiring the Wanchese Fish Company. A key move came in late 2016 when Cooke relocated its corporate headquarters to uptown Saint John, New Brunswick, cementing its ties to the port city where CEO Glenn Cooke serves on the Saint John Port Authority board. The acquisition spree continued with the purchase of American reduction fishing company Omega Protein for CA$650 million in December 2017, a critical step in securing its own feed supply.

In February 2019, Cooke entered the Latin American shrimp farming sector by acquiring Seajoy Seafood Corporation. The company's largest deal to date was the $1.5 billion acquisition of Australian salmon farmer Tassal in November 2022, dramatically expanding its footprint in the Southern Hemisphere. This was followed by the purchase of a barramundi farm in Australia, furthering species diversification. In 2023, Cooke acquired distributor Slade Gorton to strengthen its U.S. market presence, and in November 2024, it purchased Copeinca to bolster its feed operations. These acquisitions have been fundamental to building Cooke's vertically integrated and geographically diverse global network.

Global Operations and Business Model

Cooke Inc. operates a fully vertically integrated model, controlling multiple stages of the seafood supply chain from hatcheries and feed production to farming, harvesting, processing, and distribution. The company utilizes its own network of approximately 800 vessels and 30 processing plants worldwide. This integration provides Cooke with significant control over product quality, cost, and supply chain resilience. Operations are organized into regional divisions, including a U.S. division with salmon farms in Maine and Washington, a South American division led by Cooke Chile, and a European division with operations in Scotland. The company's product portfolio has diversified far beyond its salmon origins to include a wide array of species such as wild-caught seafood, shrimp, barramundi, and Argentine red shrimp.

This species and market diversification is a core corporate strategy to mitigate risks such as shifting tariffs or disease outbreaks in single-species operations. Cooke maintains a global commercial presence, exemplified by its participation in major industry events like the Seafood Expo North America and the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo. The company's large exhibit at the 2025 Seafood Expo North America, spanning 3,100 square feet and highlighting its 40th anniversary, reflected its commitment to global customer engagement and culinary innovation. Cooke's presence at the China Fisheries & Seafood Expo in Qingdao in October 2026 further demonstrates its long-term commitment to key international markets.

Corporate Profile and Recent Developments

As of 2023, Cooke Inc. employs nearly 13,000 people globally, with 2,500 of those positions located in Atlantic Canada. The company generates annual revenues of approximately CA$4 billion. In March 2024, Cooke was named one of the top employers for Atlantic Canada, recognizing its significant regional economic impact. The company faced a period of transition in early 2024 with the death of its 85-year-old co-founder, Gifford Cooke, on March 3. His passing was announced by the company the following day, marking the end of an era for the family business. Cooke has also faced legal challenges in recent years which have brought increased public and regulatory scrutiny.

In April 2024, a 2021 False Claims Act lawsuit was unsealed in New York, accusing the company of illegally using a U.S. shell company to obscure its Canadian ownership. Cooke has sought dismissal of this suit. Later, on November 14, 2024, the Conservation Law Foundation filed a notice of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act, alleging discharges from Cooke's salmon pens in the Gulf of Maine were affecting other marine uses. Cooke issued a statement the same day denying these allegations. These events represent ongoing challenges as the company manages its expansive international operations and handles complex regulatory environments.

Strategic Focus and Future Outlook

Under the leadership of CEO Glenn Cooke, the company's strategic focus has sharpened on diversification and deepening its market access. A key corporate goal is to own the raw material source, whether farmed or wild-caught, and to be physically close to its customers. This has driven significant investment in distribution networks, particularly in the United States and Europe. The growth of its commercial and distribution arms is considered vital for delivering products directly to wholesale, retail, and foodservice clients. Company executives have outlined that building resiliency against global trade uncertainties and market fluctuations remains a priority.

Cooke plans to continue its growth through strategic acquisitions, as stated in its outlook for 2026. Executives emphasize that diversification and vertical integration help prepare the company for unforeseen circumstances, and this approach has helped Cooke serve new customers across various sales channels. This balanced strategy aims to ensure the company's continued resilience and expansion in the competitive global seafood industry. The focus on controlling the supply chain from feed to final customer is expected to remain the base of Cooke's operations for the foreseeable future.

Notable Acquisitions and Investments

Cooke Inc.'s expansion has been largely fueled by a series of strategic acquisitions that have added new species, geographies, and supply chain capabilities. Since its formation, Cooke has made approximately 100 acquisitions, including 14 major ones worth $2.5 billion since 2016. These purchases have transformed the company from a regional salmon farmer in New Brunswick into a global seafood conglomerate. Key acquisitions include Icicle Seafoods in 2016, Omega Protein in 2017, and Tassal Group in 2022.

• Icicle Seafoods (2016): A major acquisition of a prominent American seafood processor, significantly expanding Cooke's wild-catch operations and US presence.
• Omega Protein (2017): Purchased for CA$650 million, this acquisition provided Cooke with a critical source of fishmeal and fish oil for its aquaculture feed, enhancing vertical integration.
• Fripur S.A. & Grinfin (2017): The purchase of this Uruguayan company and its Argentine subsidiary established Cooke Uruguay and provided access to South American fisheries.
• Seajoy Seafood Corporation (2019): This deal marked Cooke's entry into the Latin American shrimp farming sector.
• Tassal Group (2022): Cooke's largest acquisition at $1.5 billion, this purchase of the Australian salmon aquaculture leader provided a major foothold in the Asia-Pacific region.
• Slade Gorton (2023): Acquisition of this US-based distributor strengthened Cooke's direct sales and marketing network in a key market.
• Copeinca (November 2024): A recent purchase aimed at further consolidating Cooke's control over feed ingredients for its global aquaculture operations.

Each acquisition has been integrated to support the company's overarching goals of vertical integration and market diversification. Cooke works to control its supply chain by owning raw material sources and being close to its customers. This strategy creates a resilient and far-reaching global enterprise with operations in 14 countries. The company utilizes its own hatcheries, feed plants, 800 vessels, and 30 processing plants to support this integrated model.

Questions about Cooke Inc.

Where is Cooke Inc. headquartered?

Cooke Inc. is headquartered in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The company relocated its corporate offices to uptown Saint John in late 2016. Prior to this, the business was founded and based in Blacks Harbour, New Brunswick. The Saint John location reinforces the company's deep ties to the New Brunswick maritime industry and its port infrastructure.

Is Cooke Aquaculture a Canadian company?

Yes, Cooke Aquaculture, also known as Cooke Inc., is a Canadian multinational company. It was founded in New Brunswick in 1985 by the Cooke family and remains privately held and family-run. While it operates in 15 countries globally, its corporate headquarters and roots are firmly planted in Atlantic Canada. The company is a significant employer in the region, with 2,500 of its nearly 13,000 employees based in Atlantic Canada.

What does Cooke Inc. own?

Cooke Inc. owns a vast global network of seafood operations. This includes salmon farms in Canada, the United States, Chile, Scotland, and Australia. It owns wild-catch fishing fleets and processing plants, shrimp farms in Latin America, and a barramundi farm in Australia. The company also owns feed production facilities through acquisitions like Omega Protein and Copeinca, and distribution companies like Slade Gorton. Its portfolio includes major subsidiaries such as Tassal Group in Australia and Cooke Seafood USA.

Who owns Cooke Seafood?

Cooke Seafood is owned by the Cooke family. It was founded in 1985 by Gifford Cooke and his sons Glenn and Michael Cooke and remains a privately held, family-run business. Glenn Cooke serves as the company's Chief Executive Officer. The company's status as the world's largest privately held seafood company is a point of distinction, allowing it to pursue long-term strategies without shareholder pressure.

How many employees does Cooke have?

As of 2023, Cooke Inc. employs nearly 13,000 people globally. This substantial workforce supports its extensive international operations. The company is a significant employer in its home region, with approximately 2,500 of these employees based in Atlantic Canada. These personnel work across the company's vertically integrated supply chain, which encompasses fishing, aquaculture, processing, and distribution. Cooke's operations span 14 countries, utilizing 800 vessels and 30 processing plants, all supported by this large team.

What was Cooke's largest acquisition?

Cooke's largest acquisition was the purchase of the Australian salmon aquaculture company Tassal for $1.5 billion in November 2022. This major deal marked a significant expansion of Cooke's footprint into the Asia-Pacific region. The acquisition of Tassal, a leading producer, was part of Cooke's broader strategy of growth through purchases, having made approximately 100 acquisitions since its founding. This initial investment led to additional ventures in Australia, such as the subsequent purchase of a barramundi farm, showing how Cooke uses acquisitions to diversify its species and market presence.

Sources and further reading

• Cooke Inc. (Wikipedia)
• Cooke focused on diversification of products to build ... (seafoodsource.com)

Checked by the Novello Desserts desk. Last updated 2026-10-24.