Conserveira do Sul is a family-run business founded
in 1954 in the city of Olhão.Its mission has always been to work out ways to balance the
fine line between tradition and modern values by using its extensive experience from producing
conserves and fish pâtés of supreme quality.
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By relocating its activities in 1996 to a new unit, the
company addressed concerns over modernising its production methods without affecting the traditional
methods that have become a symbol of its fish conserves. This also marked a fundamental step in its
illustrious history where it is renowned for its pursuit of excellence and responding to consumers
who are increasingly aware and whose needs are ever more demanding.
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As reward for its efforts, its flagship product Manná gained
recognition in the market as a symbol of quality and tradition, not just in the area of traditional
conserves but also in new product lines (fish paste being an example).
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With regards to traditional conserves, Conserveira do Sul
focused on the production of sardines, mackerel and tuna in vegetable oil and in various sauces
such as tomato, pickle and lemon.
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The company also produces various gourmet specialities for
the most demanding palate, namely sardine, mackerel eggs and tuna belly. The Manná pastes are also
produced in sardine, tuna and prawn varieties.
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| História |
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António
Jacinto Ferreira,
Conserveira do Sul Founder
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The quality and freshness of its catches are its
main assets which were the inspiration of the determined family business which has grown
into one of the country's largest conserve factory since its humble beginnings in 1954.
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Conserveira do Sul was founded by Mr António Jacinto
Ferreira and his sons.
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Today it is one of the few conserve facilities that still
exists in the Algarve and one of two in production in the Olhão area.
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Despite the difficulties suffered by the sector over
the past 30 years, the company pursued its activity, albeit with some downturn, which it has
overcome with the construction of the new factory.
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The company's main
activity is based on the production of fish conserves, in particular sardine, mackerel
and tuna, as well as semi-conserves of anchovies and sardine and more recently,
fish paste. In addition, at times when there are abundant sources of other fish species,
the company may seek to supplement its product range with new conserves.
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Decades of experience have transformed this company
into on the most respected of its kind. Combining tradition and quality, Conserveira do Sul had
the know-how to establish itself in both the national and international market with its prestigious
brand, Manná.
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With the membership of Portugal in the EU, an ever more
competitive market emerged with new challenges to which Conserveira do Sul aptly responded ensuring
not only the continuing quality of its existing conserves but also the launch of new products.
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| New Factory |
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Current legislation allowed Conserveira do Sul to address its industrial
needs and meet the requirements laid down by law regarding technological processing and hygiene of
fish products as they are turned into conserves. |
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The building is located in the Industrial Park of Olhão, next to the fishing
port with ample space and easy access away from residential areas. This means it is not affected by
any source of pollution, contamination and salt overflow from the surrounding area.
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New Conserveira
do Sul factory
built in 1996, in the industrial area. |
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The building was constructed with the
functional requirements of the industry in mind and the use of simple lines in the design
and architecture. |
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The industrial site was planned with work
zones creating a logically placed production facility in line with the different production processes.
The intention was to significantly improve the quality of the final product. |
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| Tradition of the Conserve Factories of Olhão |
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| The Fish Conserve factories share a very strong tradition in the city of Olhão. |
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The first factory which opened in Olhão
in 1892 was F Delory (also known as the Old Factory before coming part
of Conserveira do Sul in 1954). This was followed by other conserve factories.
A Júdice Fialho in 1893; J.A. Pacheco in 1893; also around 1893, Ramirez & Ca.;
Gio Batta Trabuco in 1896. in 1907 - Nicolo Lazarra; 1908 - Cristóvão Martins
Viegas Junior; 1910 - Augusto Bruno; 1912 - Saias & Ca. Lda.; 1912- Quinta, Lda.;
1913 - Guerreiro & Ca.; 1916 - Domingos Lourenço Baeta;1918 - Aliança Fabril, Lda.;
1918 - Figueira & Ca. Lda.; 1918 - Honrado & Honrado, Lda.; 1918 - J. Reis Silva;
1920 -
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Sardine do Algarve, Lda.; 1920 -
Sociedade de Pescarias e Conservas, Lda.; 1920 - Parceria Industrial de Conservas, Lda.; 1921 -
Empresa de Conservas Nereida, Lda.; 1921 - Gian Baptista Parodi; 1922 - Henriques & Ca.Lda.; 1922 -
J.P. Leonardo, Lda.; 1922 - Lucas & Ventura, Lda.; 1922 - Martins Baptista, Lda.; 1923 - Sociedade
de Conservas Belo Monte; 1923 - Francisco Lourenço Castelo; 1924 - J.M.Cabeçadas; 1925 - Tomé, Lda.;
1926 - Santos Simões & Ca. Lda.; 1928 - União Industrial, Lda.; 1929 - Soares Viegas, Lda.; 1931 -
Lazaro & Ca.; 1932 - Vasconcelos & Guerreiro, Lda.; 1932 - Empresa Mercantil de Pescas, Lda.
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Prior to this, there were other factories that produced pickled
fish when the founder of Conserveira do Sul arrived in Olhão to start operations in 1918.
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By 1935, there were 37 conserve factories in Olhão.
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After the 1914-1918 war, the number of factories spiralled to the extent that the governor prohibited
new factories from opening in 1935.
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Apart from three or four well-managed factories with a sound
commercial footing, all the others with weak organization suffered at the hands of competitors or
economic difficulties. The gloomy outlook worsened through these years with companies facing the cold
prospect of failure.
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By looking at the growing number of factories that disappeared,
we can see a clear trend.In 1935, there were 37 factories in operation; in 1957, there were 28 factories;
in 1964, 24 factories; in 1970, 13 factories in operation; in 1980, 6 factories in operation and in 1995
there were just two (one of which is Conserveira do Sul).
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As we can see, Conserveira do Sul had some difficulties keeping its
head over water. Thanks to huge efforts and the benefits that new technology has brought, Conserveira do Sul
has proved its worth in an ever more competitive market, helped by the launch of new products and the
quality of its traditional conserves.
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