Kaunas, Lithuania-based surimi producer Viciunai Group has announced a major expansion with a new EUR 100 million (USD 108 million) salmon processing facility in Plungė, Lithuania.
The company announced the news on LinkedIn, saying that the project was its “largest investment.” The project is linked to Viciunai Group subsidiary Viciunai ir partneriai (VIP).
“We are starting the construction of one of the largest and most modern salmon processing plant in Europe in Plungė! Once fully operational, we will process up to 50,000 tons of salmon per year, with projected annual revenue of up to EUR 500M (USD 540M)," the company said.
According to the company’s website, 91 percent of the Group’s sales are exported to the Baltic, Western and Central Europe, Scandinavia, and Eastern Europe and Asia. The LinkedIn post about the new plant announced that most of the plant's production (95 percent) would be directed towards Western Europe and the U.S. market, however.
Since its founding in 1991, Viciunai has grown to become a major global producer of surimi, with a diversified portfolio that includes salmon, herring, dumplings, pizza, and pancakes.
In April 2024, the company announced that it had finally, after a two year search, sold its Russian business. The company’s choice to depart from Russia came in response to the nation’s invasion of Ukraine. As part of the sale, Viciunai was forced to give up the VICI trademark in the region.
