Fishing company stands out as one of the largest Ecuadorian exporters

Negocios Industriales Real Nirsa SA is one of the most important companies in the country dedicated to the capture, processing and commercialization of marine and aquaculture species. The firm is among the companies that generates the most employment in Ecuador; currently provides direct jobs to more than 5,000 people. In addition, it has positioned the tuna fishing industry among the most important in the world, being a benchmark in leading good industrial practices. In other words, Ecuador is the second tuna producing country in the world, after Thailand, and today has the most powerful tuna fleet in the Eastern Pacific. The most demanded product of the portfolio abroad is whole shrimp, whose sales represent 28% for Grupo Nirsa and Proposorja.

conquering markets

Currently Nirsa’s coverage reaches more than 32 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania, South America, North America and Central America. Among its recent expansions in terms of exports, the United States market stands out, where the acceptance of its products has been successful due to the wide line that it offers in tuna (in various presentations and sizes) such as onions, as well as sardines (both in oil, as in tomato sauce) with which the Real brand arrives.

Currently, the company markets its products in supermarkets in the states of New York and New Jersey, with expansion plans to other states. Also since 2020, it has reached the Russian market through the Isla Real brand, introducing to this country the presentation of canned tuna and pouches. Currently, Nirsa is with its products in Moscow in the largest supermarket chain in the country.

NIRSA’s portfolio includes: tuna, sardines, mackerel, shrimp, fishmeal and fish oil. It should be noted that, in Ecuador, its Real brand remains in the top 10 of the brands preferred by Ecuadorians according to the ninth edition of Kantar’s Brand FootprintEcuador ranking.

Adding initiatives

As part of the group, Proposorja, a pelagic fish and shrimp processing plant, joins the export of products. The plant is dedicated to the processing and freezing of pelagics, which are the small species that live in midwater or near the surface. These types of fish include mackerel (morenillo), bottle, face, pampanito, hake and sardines. From the company they point out that they are highly demanded products in America, Africa, Asia and Europe. While in the shrimp line, it is processed for frozen either whole or with added value. In the latter is where they have bet their greatest focus of innovation: breaded, pre-fried, stuffed with cheese, chuzos, among others.

Project Lidera

As a world-class company, innovation is part of Nirsa’s DNA. Currently, the company is in a process of technological and cultural transformation with the implementation of the Lidera Project, which represents an investment of more than 10 million dollars with a five-year projection. The objective is to integrate the organization in a systemic and digital way. With SAP 4 Hana it will be possible for food system stakeholders to have complete end-to-end traceability, as well as the ability to deliver accurate, real-time information about food, how it is produced and how it flows from sea to table. . Currently, the company manages the traceability of its products and has certifications that guarantee their veracity; now, with this implementation, the agility and accuracy of the information will be improved.

Strategic pillars

In addition, the company focuses its efforts on the sustainability of the business, both at sea and on land, the economy of the country and the community. Close to reaching 64 years of institutional life, Nirsa has been characterized by carrying out its operations in a transparent manner, establishing clear policies with stakeholders, and implementing best practices that generate value.

“Our strategic pillars are: growth, efficiency, sustainability and people, which provide us with the daily guideline to become one of the most successful food companies in Latin America and the world. We aim at innovation, diversifying our product portfolio, in the constant search for improvements in all our processes and making our business more sustainable. On the other hand, the internationalization of NIRSA represents a pride at the country level that an Ecuadorian company stands out at the international level ”, argued Roberto Aguirre, president of the Real Nirsa SA Industrial Business Board.

This is how Nirsa has become one of the biggest references in the tuna sector. With more than six decades of experience and a portfolio of around 120 seafood products, the company is committed to new technology and innovation to continue its positioning in the national and international market.

Sustainable Actions

It should be noted that Nirsa supports and executes actions aligned with Sustainable Development Goal # 14 (underwater life) that seeks, by 2025, to prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular that produced by activities carried out on land, including debris. marine and nutrient pollution.

In addition, Nirsa is a member of the ISSF (International Seafood Sustainability Foundation), a non-profit foundation formed by the main canned tuna industries in the world, whose objective is to make tuna fishing a sustainable activity in the long term and based on and scientific research, guaranteeing the health of the stocks, reducing bycatch and promoting the health of the marine ecosystem.

Nirsa is also a founding member of the Fip Tunacons, a fisheries improvement project (FIP), led by the Tuna Conservation Group (Tunacons) and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), which will certify part of the Ecuadorian tuna production under the standard of the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC).

About Nirsa:

Founded in 1957, Negocios Industriales Real Nirsa SA has a successful track record in the national and international market through its flagship Real brand. Nirsa is an Ecuadorian company considered one of the most important in the country’s food industry, specializing in the capture, processing and commercialization of marine and aquaculture species. With more than 60 years of experience and quality, the company has positioned the Ecuadorian tuna fishing industry among the most outstanding in the world, consolidating its participation in markets such as: United States, Central America, South America, European Union, Asia, among others, thus positioning its leadership in more than 30 countries and being a benchmark in leading good fishing practices. Making considerable investments, its production plant stands out for its impressive infrastructure, in addition to having its own packing house and owning the largest fishing fleet in the Ecuadorian flag country. True to its purpose, Nirsa contributes to the development of Ecuador, generating direct jobs for more than 5,000 families, thus reaching the TOP 10 of the Ecuadorian companies that generate the most employment in the country.