Negocios Industriales Real S.A. (NIRSA), headquartered in Guayaquil, Ecuador, is one of the most prominent seafood processors and exporters in Latin America. Established in 1957, the company has played a key role in transforming Ecuador into a global hub for high-quality canned and frozen seafood, particularly tuna and shrimp products. NIRSA is best known for its flagship brand "Real," which holds a dominant share in the Ecuadorian canned seafood market.
Company Background
Founded over six decades ago, NIRSA has evolved into a vertically integrated seafood enterprise that manages everything from fishing operations and raw material processing to packaging, branding, and international exports. Its state-of-the-art facilities and fleet of fishing vessels give it end-to-end control over quality, traceability, and sustainability.
NIRSA operates with a workforce of more than 4,000 employees, making it one of the largest employers in Ecuador’s fishing and food sector. The company has received multiple national and international accolades for its contribution to Ecuador's economy and food security.
Core Business and Product Range
NIRSA offers a diversified portfolio of seafood products, which includes:
- Canned Seafood:
- Canned Tuna in oil, water, and flavored varieties
- Canned Sardines in tomato sauce, oil, and spicy sauces
- Frozen Seafood:
- Frozen Vannamei Shrimp: HOSO (Head On Shell On), HLSO (Headless Shell On), peeled, deveined, tail-on/off, cooked and raw formats
- Whole Frozen Pelagic Fish: Mackerel, Jack Mackerel, Sardines
- Processed Seafood:
- Precooked Tuna Loins: Used by global brands and private label partners for final canning and repackaging
NIRSA's products are sold both under its proprietary brand Real and through private label agreements across the globe.
Specialization and Unique Selling Proposition
NIRSA’s value proposition is rooted in:
- Vertical Integration: Ownership of its own fishing fleet and processing plants ensures consistent supply, full traceability, and quality control.
- Product Diversity: Offers both shelf-stable and frozen options across a range of seafood categories.
- Private Label Expertise: Trusted partner for global retailers and foodservice clients for custom branding and formulations.
- Sustainability Leadership: Strong focus on responsible fishing practices and certified processing methods.
Financials and Market Footprint
Although privately held, NIRSA is widely recognized for its large economic footprint:
- Estimated annual revenue exceeds $300 million USD
- Accounts for a significant share of Ecuador’s $1.5 billion tuna export sector
- Operates over 15 fishing vessels and multiple processing plants, including one of the largest tuna canneries in Latin America
- Distribution in more than 30 countries, including the U.S., European Union, Middle East, and Latin America
NIRSA’s brand “Real” holds over 50% market share in Ecuador's canned tuna segment, underscoring its dominance in domestic retail.
Shipment and Export Data
Based on data from trade intelligence platforms:
- NIRSA has conducted over 2,500 international shipments in the past five years
- Top export markets include United States, Spain, Italy, France, Japan, and the Middle East
- Regularly exports containerized shipments of frozen shrimp, canned tuna, and tuna loins
- Individual export containers often range from 20 to 25 metric tons, depending on the product
The company is a registered exporter under FDA regulations and EU-authorized seafood supplier codes.
Target Market
NIRSA’s global customer base includes:
- Retail Chains: Supplying canned and frozen seafood under private labels
- Foodservice Providers: Providing bulk frozen shrimp and loins for institutional kitchens
- Distributors: Importers and wholesalers in Europe, Asia, and the Americas
- Canning Plants and Reprocessors: Buyers of precooked tuna loins for final packaging
The company also has a strong presence in Ecuador’s domestic retail and supermarket chains under the Real brand.
Capabilities
- Production Capacity: Can process over 400 metric tons of tuna per day
- Cold Storage: Large-scale frozen storage infrastructure for shrimp and pelagics
- Logistics: Integrated port-side facilities in Guayaquil streamline exports
- R&D and Product Development: Focused on new flavors, can sizes, and seafood preparations
- Private Label Manufacturing: Full-service partner from product design to packaging and documentation
Certifications and Compliance
NIRSA complies with rigorous international standards and certifications, including:
- Dolphin Safe (Earth Island Institute)
- MSC (Marine Stewardship Council) – Sustainable seafood certification
- BRC (British Retail Consortium) – Global food safety standard
- IFS (International Featured Standards)
- FDA Registration – Compliant for exports to the United States
- EU Approved Facility – Recognized by the European Commission for seafood processing
- SMETA – Ethical trade and labor compliance
The company also participates in ISSF (International Seafood Sustainability Foundation) initiatives for sustainable tuna fishing.
Customer Testimonials
“NIRSA has been our most reliable tuna supplier for over 8 years. Their quality control and on-time deliveries make them a preferred vendor.” — Buyer, European Retail Chain
“We chose NIRSA for our private label shrimp range. Their ability to tailor pack sizes and their sustainability certifications helped us enter the U.S. premium seafood segment.” — Seafood Distributor, USA
Major Achievements
- Recognized as one of Ecuador’s Top 100 Companies by revenue
- Successfully maintained long-term private label contracts with retailers in the EU and USA
- Developed the leading canned tuna brand (Real) in Ecuador
- Recipient of Export Excellence Awards by Ecuadorian trade bodies
- Played a key role in policy advocacy for sustainable fishing and marine biodiversity protection
NIRSA continues to lead Ecuador’s seafood industry through its blend of scale, innovation, sustainability, and a deep commitment to quality in global seafood supply chains.
