Two Spanish canned tuna producers are bucking the trend of a downbeat economy.
Galicia-based Ignacio González Montes has reported 22 percent growth in 2011 for its six own-brand products, including Dorita, Costatun and DietAtun.
The company’s EUR 2 million (USD 2.5 million) investment in new installations and improved quality production processes last year enabled turnover to double within four years based on sales valued at EUR 30 million (USD 38.6 million) in 2007 to EUR 63 million (USD 79.7 million) in 2011.
With Montes’ canned tuna exported to Italy, UK, Portugal, Andorra, Germany, Denmark, Algeria and Morocco, export volumes of 55 percent of total sales in 2010 rose to 65 percent in 2011.
Montes produces 350,000 cans of tuna daily in formats ranging from 70 grams to 3,900 grams. The company also manufactures 50,000 cans of sardines daily, in addition to prepared clams, razor clams, cockles and mussels of 75,000 cans daily. Squid and octopus form part of its portfolio at smaller production levels, as well as specialty items such as surimi.
Continuing the momentum, a EUR 800,000 (USD 1.1 million) investment by Grupo Consorcio, operating in Cantabria and Madrid, is reaping results from new machinery and a new graphic design of its canned tuna packs.
The company announced last week that successful international expansion has taken its products to more than 25 export markets, emphasizing its presence in Belgium, France, Portugal, Andorra, Sweden, Egypt, Thailand and Mexico. Italy is highlighted where its premium Consorcio tuna brand has achieved “high market prestige.”
Last year the company diversified with the launch of semi-preserved anchovies in vinegar, demonstrating their research and development efforts in the belief that “pickled anchovies complete our product offering,” according to marketing director Eduardo Sanfilippo.
