Iglo Foods Group’s sales of fish, vegetables and poultry increased 3.7 percent to EUR 1.2 billion in 2011 and accounted for 78 percent of the company’s total business, according to the company’s recently released annual report.
According to the report, fish is the UK company’s largest category, representing 30 percent of its total turnover and procurement spend. That includes the production of more than 2.2 billion fish fingers.
The company said new product development was a key growth driver in 2011, including entering the broader seafood category. This was evident in Germany, where the company said it was successful with its new Filegro fish range, which climbed to the top of the company’s coated fish portfolio within six months of its launch.
In Italy, fish sales were notably strong — growing 12 percent — due to the acquisition of Findus. In the UK and Ireland, fish, poultry and vegetable sales grew 2.4 percent, and Iglo said it would continue to develop its Bake to Perfection range, a brand that is now worth EUR 27 million.
On the sustainability front, the company has committed to sourcing 100 percent of its seafood from certified fisheries by year’s end. Last year, the company planned the 2012 launch of its “Catch Fresh” fish range across four countries, offering ten Marine Stewardship Council-certified species. In 2011, 97 percent of the company’s total Birds Eye, Iglo and Findus wild-caught seafood products was sourced according to its Sustainable Fisheries Development Policy requirements. Of that amount, 50 percent is MSC-certified.
