Following in-depth consultations with head chefs in Brazil, Spanish bluefin tuna brand Grup Balfegó will embark on a substantial expansion program by the end of 2011, as well as sourcing intermediaries and establishing direct sales in the United Arab Emirates during 2012.?
Balfegó continues to strengthen its presence in Europe, including France and Spain, which currently represent 22 percent of its market share.
Juan Serrano, general director of the Catalan group, said Balfegó has been internationalized “in reverse” since it was founded at a time when its sole market was Japan — the world’s largest tuna consumer — yet has gradually begun operating in additional markets.
The group struggled during the 2009 economic crisis, posting EUR 300,000 (USD 413,000) in losses. Serrano reflects that the figures would have been much worse were it not for the “intelligent management” decisions made before its Japanese business developed, forcing the group to resort to bank financing.??
In 2010, the company saw its income recover, to EUR 3.2 million (USD 4.4 million), which it aims to maintain this year ahead of 2012 forecasts of EUR 3 million (USD 4.1 million).
Despite the crisis, the company has invested EUR 2 million (USD 2.75 million) in research and development over the past two years, “demonstrating the group’s commitment to innovation,” according to Serrano.
The company caught and processed some 2,500 tons of tuna last year, ranging in price from EUR 23 to 26 (USD 32 to 36) per kilogram, or EUR 18,000 (USD 24,785) for tuna weighing up to 100 kilograms.
Echoing Serrano’s call for greater industry innovation, Group President Pere Balfegó has petitioned the government to establish a seal of quality for innovative, sustainable fishing methods using quality checks on fish entering the market.
Balfegó said a quality label would reward companies investing in innovation and environmentally friendly practices, while acting as an incentive for others to do so. He also stressed how a quality seal acts as a consumer guarantee of the source of assured products from this protected species, dissipating doubts about the legality of bluefin tuna fishing methods.
Both of their comments came days after Spain’s commitment to “maintain the same degree of compliance with the strict measures outlined in the Bluefin Tuna Recovery Plan,” as stated by Secretary General of the Sea Alicia Villauriz.
Balfegó is a fifth generation fishing family with 200 employees — 110 permanent staff and 90 commercial subcontractors. Of the group’s seven vessels, four are located in l'Ametlla de Mar (Catalonia) and three in France.??
