Ondarroa, Getaria and Bermeo: the new industrial engine of fish processing in the Basque Country

The journey of a fish from capture to distribution demands an infrastructure capable of handling the product with the utmost precision and attention to detail. In its ongoing pursuit of optimizing this process, Kofradia Basque Seafood has established an industrial network along the Basque coast. The key to this operational capacity lies in its 8,000 square meters of production facilities.

‍

Historically, the different stages of fish processing, from sorting to packaging or freezing, could require multiple intermediaries, travel, or less specialized facilities.

‍

In contrast to this model, the new entity is committed to modernization and direct industrialization through its own highly technological network. The deployment is distributed across three strategic locations in key ports, each with a clearly defined role. These are the characteristics that make this industrial operation unique:

• Ondarroa, the epicenter of the transformation: Spanning 4,500 m², the former Posa facilities now house the central plant. This is where bulk fish is managed and where innovative fourth-range (filleted, packaged, and ready-to-eat) and fifth-range (prepared dishes and soups) solutions are developed. To achieve this, the plant is equipped with state-of-the-art filleting machines specifically designed for hake and mackerel, as well as cutting-edge packaging solutions.
• Getaria, the heart of bonito and anchovy production: This 1,200 m² facility, located in the former Oliveri premises, is highly specialized in processing these two species. Here, the fish are sorted, weighed, and cut using state-of-the-art cutting machines, and the traditional production of semi-preserved and salted anchovies has been revived.
• Bermeo, the cutting edge in cold storage: Spanning 2,500 m², this facility is entirely dedicated to freezing processes. Its key differentiator is the incorporation of IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) technology, making it one of only two plants nationwide with this rapid individual freezing system to guarantee superior quality.

‍

This deployment of state-of-the-art infrastructure not only allows for the processing of a high volume of catches, but also segments the work to apply the most precise machinery at each stage. Furthermore, the Getaria and Bermeo plants currently operate under temporary lease agreements, with plans to become KBS property in the near future, thus consolidating its network.

‍

The true operational value of this segmentation lies in specialization. By having one center for processing, another for pelagic fish, and another for freezing, the production flow is direct and efficient.

‍

"We are building a processing industry that provides 4th and 5th range solutions, from cleaned and packaged fish to prepared and sterilized meals. Thanks to our facilities in Bermeo, Ondarroa and Getaria, we integrate the entire value chain, which allows us total control of the raw material at the source and a differentiated logistical response," says Javier Bilbao, the company's commercial director.

‍

Ultimately, the specialization of these three locations is much more than a deployment of square meters; it is the physical and technological guarantee that each species receives the exact industrial treatment it needs without losing its link with the port of origin.