Thai Union's ESIP opens store in Portugal, launches new brand of canned tuna salads

Thai Union has opened a new factory store in Peniche, Portugal, via its subsidiary European Seafood Investment Portugal (ESIP) in order to sell a new line of tuna salads geared toward the domestic market. 

The retail outlet, which had its opening on 25 May, will sell “Peniche Can by Thai Union,” a new brand range of products. The store, dubbed Peniche Can Store to align with the brand, will be a retail extension of ESIP’s production facility in Peniche and will sell Peniche Can Surf, a selection of tuna salads. 

“Our brand-new factory store and our new brand Peniche Can by Thai Union with its Peniche Can Surf range of products are a celebration of Peniche as a playground for surfers from Portugal and all over the world,” ESIP Plant Manager João Santos said. “Our store is right next to the beach and at the heart of our community. We’re all proud to live and work here and our Peniche Can Store will show people from near and far that we’re responsibly producing seafood products that make their way all over the world – from right here in Peniche.”

The new brand was created as a “reverence to Peniche’s fishing heritage” and its community of surfers, according to Thai Union, The brand includes a salad range including three products: tuna, bulgur, and vegetables; tuna, red beans and mixed vegetables; and tuna pasta salad with tomatoes, green olives, and a tomato and herb sauce. 

ESIP was founded in 1915, and exports its products to three continents, according to Thai Union. Thai Union purchased the company in 2010.

“ESIP is an important pillar of the Leiria district’s economy, and it’s one of our most versatile plants in Europe,” Thai Union Europe Operations Director Sven Massen said. “We’re employing over 850 people from Peniche and the surrounding area, so this store and our new brand Peniche Can is our way of sharing our passion for seafood with the community and with the people in Portugal.”

The new brand line will also be available for purchase online for customers in Portugal, the company said. 

Photo courtesy of Thai Union