Grupo Alimentario IAN is a prominent Spanish food manufacturer and exporter specializing in vegetable preserves, ready-to-eat meals, and olives. Headquartered in Tajonar, Navarra, Spain, the company is widely recognized for its flagship brand Carretilla, a household name in Spain and abroad, particularly in the ready-meal category. With decades of experience, Grupo IAN has become one of the leading players in the Spanish agri-food industry, known for its quality, innovation, and strong international presence.
Core Business and Product Offerings
Grupo IAN operates across three major product lines:
-
Vegetable Preserves
- White Asparagus
- Piquillo Peppers (D.O. Lodosa)
- Canned Tomatoes (whole, diced, and crushed)
- Cooked Legumes (chickpeas, lentils, beans)
-
Ready-to-Eat Meals
- Microwavable single-serve meals under the Carretilla brand
- Spanish cuisine specialties: Paella, Meatballs, Fabada Asturiana, and more
- Ambient shelf-stable trays with up to 18 months shelf life
-
Olives
- Black and Green Olives (whole, sliced, and pitted)
These products are distributed under the Carretilla brand, private label formats, and industrial packaging for B2B clients globally.
Specialisation and Unique Selling Proposition
Grupo IAN differentiates itself through:
- Expertise in high-quality preserved vegetables from Navarre, a key agricultural region in Spain
- Innovative R&D in ready meals, pioneering shelf-stable microwave meals with long shelf lives
- Strong branding and marketing for Carretilla, the #1 brand for ready meals in Spain
- Sustainable agricultural sourcing and energy-efficient production practices
Their ability to blend traditional Spanish flavors with modern convenience formats gives them a distinct edge in European and export markets.
Target Markets
Grupo IAN exports to over 40 countries worldwide, with a strong presence in:
- Europe: France, Germany, UK, Netherlands, Portugal
- North America: United States, Canada
- Latin America: Mexico, Colombia
- Middle East and Asia: United Arab Emirates, Japan, South Korea
Clients include supermarket chains, foodservice distributors, and importers serving retail and HORECA channels.
Capabilities
Grupo IAN operates multiple production sites, with major facilities located in:
- Navarra – specializing in asparagus and peppers
- Madrid – dedicated ready meal facility for Carretilla
- Other regional plants for olive and legume processing
Key operational capabilities include:
- Automated canning and aseptic packaging systems
- Thermo-sealed tray sealing lines for microwavable meals
- Industrial processing capacity exceeding 100 million units annually
- In-house quality labs and traceability systems from field to fork
Certifications and Compliance
Grupo IAN adheres to the highest food safety and quality standards. Their certifications include:
- BRC (British Retail Consortium)
- IFS (International Featured Standards)
- ISO 9001 and ISO 22000
- FDA Registered for exports to the United States
- Halal and Kosher certifications on select products
These accreditations ensure compliance with global import and retailer requirements.
Financials and Export Shipment Record
While the company is privately held, public disclosures and export tracking suggest:
- Annual turnover exceeding €150 million
- Carretilla brand accounts for over 40% of the ready meal market share in Spain
- Over 100 million units sold annually
- Export shipments reaching more than 40 countries
- Regular container exports of canned vegetables and ready meals
Trade data confirms frequent shipments to major distributors in Europe, North America, and the Middle East.
Recognitions and Industry Positioning
- Carretilla is the leading ready meal brand in Spain
- Awarded for sustainability practices in agri-food processing
- Active participant in major food expos:
- SIAL Paris
- Anuga Germany
- Gulfood Dubai
- Alimentaria Barcelona
- Recognized for innovation in ambient meal preservation technologies
Grupo IAN continues to invest in expanding its meal range, healthier options, and sustainable packaging solutions.
Customer Testimonials
Feedback from European and North American distributors highlights:
- Excellent shelf life and taste profile of ready meals
- Reliable delivery and export documentation
- Strong support for private label partnerships
- High consumer trust and brand recall in competitive supermarket spaces
Major Achievements
- Developed Spain’s first microwaveable shelf-stable meal in the 1990s
- Achieved category leadership in Spanish ready meals with Carretilla
- Exported to over 40 international markets
- Produced more than 3 billion units since inception
- Integrated sustainable farming partnerships with local growers
Grupo Alimentario IAN stands as a benchmark in Spain’s food manufacturing industry, delivering tradition, quality, and convenience to dining tables around the world.
