CROATIA
Croatian fishing company Mislov is still a family business
Sardine and anchovy fishery has expanded into processing Mislov, a family-owned pelagic fishery, expanded its operations in 2015 beyond catching fish when it opened a new processing plant in Policnik, Croatia. The company has been in business since it was founded in 2001 in Kali, on Island Ugljan. It is run by the Mislov family, who have extensive experience in fishing tuna and small pelagic species. The fishery’s main activity is catching anchovy and sardines. With the addition of the factory, it is now involved in processing and wholesale as well, and plans for further expansion of available products are being discussed for the near future. Building processing plant The company’s production is made was a long-held dream up of a range of products based The creation of the processing plant for pelagic fish comes after numerous years of planning for the company. The family had been involved in catching fish, but always had the desire of someday opening up their own processing plant. They began taking steps toward this goal in 2009, drawing up ideas for the factory and applying for loans. Construction began in 2014, and on 8 June 2016, Mislov celebrated its first year of processing and working at the factory. The business continues in its tradition of being family-run, with the Mislov family managing all aspects of the business, from the fishing boats to sales and quality control. Mislov has three vessels used for pelagic fishing, measuring approximately 24, 28, and 32 meters long. A third vessel, M/V Molo, was added to the original two vessels M/V Roso and M/V Cicilo in order to ensure a proper quantity of small pelagic fish. The company aims at self-sufficiency; its own vessels are able to supply about 95 percent of its needs. 35 employees work at the facilities year-round, and an additional 15 staff members are brought on during the salting season. 38
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on anchovy and sardines. These include marinated anchovy, with marinated sardines being a new addition to their product line. In addition, their frozen line includes whole frozen sardines, and small quantities of butterfly sardines that are individually quick-frozen. Mislov has machinery that it uses in this production process for cleaning sardines, removing the heads, and making filets, as well as marinating. Anchovy, due to their small size and sensitive nature, require human hands for these tasks. Frozen sardines make up the majority of the company’s exports. Frozen anchovy are not sold to consumers, but are instead used in the production of marinated anchovy. Thus, Mislov can continue production even when the fishing season is over. In addition, this strategy enables the company to employ its workers continuously through the year.
Production emphasises quality control and freshness Mislov’s owners stated that their desire when opening their own operating facility was to add value to their catch. The family has been catching fish for generations, and
Mislov started off as a fishing company, an activity that today forms the basis for the supply of raw materials, sardines and anchovies, to the newly opened processing plant.
have a high-quality product that they now manage from vessel to customer. Cooling starts on board the vessels to guarantee freshness, and the business has its own refrigerated trucks to deliver its products to clients. While Mislov does not sell its fish in very large quantities, its aim is to focus instead on the quality of its products and ensure excellence from when the fish is caught at sea to when it is delivered to customers. It hopes that the market will recognize the quality of its products and better value relative to other producers in the sector, and that this may translate to higher prices in the future. Most other companies, Mislov notes, are partially or entirely dependent on other vessels to supply their catch. Since the family has essentially two enterprises, their fishing vessels
and their processing plant, they are able to provide for nearly all of their needs, giving them more of a competitive advantage in the industry. Most of the fish produced by Mislov goes to the markets of Western Europe, primarily Spain and Italy, though some production also goes to Portugal, Greece, Malta, and Albania. Albania mostly receives its salted products. Some production is also sold locally in Croatia during the summer tourist season, though in relatively smaller quantities. The company has been doing research on the possibility of expansion into new markets. Representatives from Mislov attended the past Seafood Expo Global in Brussels, which enabled the company to promote itself and raise www.eurofishmagazine.com
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