The Kaunas, Lithuania-headquartered Viciunai Group has acquired CSF France, which has been a longtime distributor of its frozen and refrigerated surimi products as well as other seafood items and dumplings in the French market. With the sales company operating directly as a Viciunai unit, its aim is to increase business markedly.
“We have been preparing for this move meticulously, and have a clear action plan,” said CEO Sarunas Matijosaitis. “I am convinced that sales will grow significantly in the medium term, and that the Vici brand will account for at least 30% of our portfolio in France.”
Viciunai-manufactured surimi products are already well represented in leading retail chains including Carrefour and Casino. Now the drive to sell other Vici brand offerings such as fish sticks, herring and salmon will be geared up. In addition, the hotel, restaurant and catering sector will be increasingly targeted.
Established in 1991, the Viciunai Group is one of the world’s biggest volume producers of surimi products and ranks among Europe’s largest fish and seafood processors. The company employs approximately 8,000 people across 13 production sites and generated turnover of €410 million in 2016. Its extensive range is sold in more than 57 countries spanning the globe from the Baltic region and Scandinavia to West, Central and Eastern Europe, Asia and beyond.
