This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 4 2025.
The Polish branch of Thai -Union, one of the world’s leading seafood companies, operates a strategically located processing facility near Poland’s northern ports. Established in the mid-1990s and acquired by Thai -Union in 2014, the plant has evolved into a key exporter of premium canned fish, supplying over 30 countries across Europe, North America, Asia, and Oceania. Specialising in canned sprats, herring, mackerel, and now salmon, the Polish facility -sources raw material from the Baltic and North Seas. Its core product—canned sprats—is highly regarded in overseas markets for its quality, says Joanna Petersen, Global OEM sales and Market Director, who attributes this partly to the fact that the processing facility was owned by a Norwegian -company which manufactured products under the King Oscar brand before being bought by Thai Union. The plant’s -output is geared primarily towards export, with about 80% of production destined for -international markets. It supplies several of Thai Union’s major brands, including John West, Mareblu, and Chicken of the Sea, and remains closely linked to the heritage King Oscar brand. Its reputation for quality and export focus sets it apart from many domestic producers who began as local suppliers and later expanded internationally.
Despite fluctuations in fish stocks and raw material availability—especially for sprats—the facility maintains production by adapting sourcing -strategies and expanding its product lines. Recent increases in herring quotas and rising demand for salmon have opened new -opportunities. The company is now investing in new SKUs (stock keeping units) and sees potential to scale capacity in the future. As a central part of Thai Union’s global network, the Polish plant benefits from collaboration across sister -companies, -sharing business concepts and supporting branded product strategies worldwide. While the domestic market remains important, the plant’s primary role is as an “export machine”, says
Ms Petersen, with some 80% of the total -production -being exported. With its strong foundations, focus on premium quality, and integration within a global seafood network, Thai Union Poland continues to play a vital role in connecting European seafood expertise with global markets.