After Bad 2008, JEALSA Aims At EU And US Expansion ff

From La Voz de Galicia

JEALSA Rianxeira plans to extend its brand across Europe and the United States.

The economical expectations for 2009 seem will be even gloomier than in 2008. Nevertheless, such pessimism does not affect the Spanish canning group JEALSA. The company’s president, Jesus Alonso Fernandez, announced that the brand Rianxeira “will be seen in all Europe and the United States, which will revive the brand in the international market”.

JEALSA is based in Boiro, Spain and it is aware that expanding within the Spanish market is an almost impossible mission. JEALSA currently sells 40% of all the tuna consumed in the local market with its brands Hacendado, Rianxeira and Escuris. This was announced at the Christmas party, which is when the board meets with the staff to prepare the year’s balance and the forecasts for next year.

The 2008 annual results can not be considered positive, according to JEALSA’s Managing Director, Jesus Manuel Alonso Escurís. The company faced several difficulties, such as the situation with the Guatemala factory, which remained closed for nine months due to bureaucratic problems that were eventually resolved. Fortunately, this setback did not have a more serious impact thanks to the diversification of the group.

Another difficulty JEALSA faced last year was the breaking of the contract with the Italian Palmera, which is still in legal procedures; also the fishing discontinuance of the Boinersa during almost the entire year because of the high fuel prices and finally, the sinking of the Santa Yago II.

On the positive side, Alonso Escurís accomplished the starting up the factory in the United Kingdom; the attainment of licenses to operate in Norway for cockles; draw cockle; the growth by 36% of Tunaliment, and the launch of the tuna snacks, a product in which they have high expectations for 2009, as well as for plastic packaging, given the foreseen can price increase.