Dutch frozen fish supplier Queens Products celebrated the 10th anniversary this week of the first introduction of pangasius to supermarkets in the Netherlands.
The company, based in Varsseveld, offered local families a free bag of the frozen Vietnamese fish in celebration. Executives from Queens and Vinh Hoan, the Vietnamese farm fish company that partners with Queens to bring the fish to the Netherlands.
“In a market with lots of competition, it is not easy to develop a sustainable production,” said Ms Khahn, CEO of Vinh Hoan. “Partly thanks to the support and efforts of Queens, we managed to be the first pangasius ASC certified producer. “
At a special “drive-in” event in Varssevelders on 15 October, more than 300 people came to pick up a bag of the now-popular fish.
Back in 2002, pangasius, a staple of Vietnamese diets, was unknown in the Netherlands. Today, according to Queens, it is the most commonly-eaten fish in the country, with 5.5 million bags sold in 2011, and 3 million of those under the Queens Panga filets brand.
“This year we have a lot to celebrate: 10 years of pangasius in the Netherlands, pangasius is number 1 as the most popular and most purchased fish in the Netherlands, Queens panga is the largest fish product in the Netherlands, 10 years exclusive partnership with Vinh Hoan and Vinh Hoan is the first ASC certified pangasius producer,” said Queens Products General Manager Harry Hoogendoorn. “We will expand this success further."
