New fish packaging captures convenience
The new size rectangular can features a smaller, rectangular lid and the company’s PeelSeam technology. The tins, sized 99mm x 46 mm, are supplied by Gil Comes.
The PeelSeam lid for the anchovy cans consists of a thin, flexible foil heat-sealed to rigid steels rings for conventional double seeming onto existing containers. “PealSeam offers consumers an alternative easy and safe way to open metal containers,” said a company spokeswoman. “In addition to more convenient access, PeelSeam lidding and packaging helps to provides greater shelf impact,” she added.
Anchovy packaging
Javier Rodriguez, Crown Food Spain’s commercial director, said: “We are pleased to help launch this new size (of anchovy packaging can) with Gil Comes for Mercadona. Convenience is the key in the food industry and PeelSeam lidding is therefore an essential differentiator in the growing canned fish market.”
The new anchovy tins will be marketed in Spain under the Hacendado brand name by Mercadona, the country’s largest retailer.
The anchovy tins will also be available for sale throughout Europe.
No information was available about the cost of the PeelSeam lid.
Meanwhile, Crown is manufacturing other rectangular can sizes for sardines and other fish at its plant in Vigo, Northern Spain. The factory manufacturers round and rectangular PealSeam cans for markets throughout Europe.
Largest market for fish
Spain is the largest market for fish in Europe with household purchases reaching 968,500t in 2000, according to the Leatherhead Food International. The average EU citizen consumes about 24kg of fish each year; significantly higher than the world average of 13kg, said the organization.
The world seafood market, including canned, frozen and fresh fish, is forecast to achieve a compound annual growth rate of more than 5.4 per cent between 2001 to 2010, according to a report released earlier this year by Global Industry Analysts Inc. The value of the market is expected to reach US $388.9bn within the next two years.
