HUNGARY
Joint efforts: A winning formula for Hungary’s leading fish producers
Wide range of value-added fish products V95 Kft. of Nagyatád and Bajcshal Kft. of Kisbajcs are owned by two Hungarian families cooperating in fish farming, processing, marketing, and trade.
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his close cooperation between the two entities has not always been the case: due to the geographic location (Bajcshal in the north, and V95 in the south of the country), the companies operated independently for a time, but the introduction of new species, increasing market demand for high-value products, and the need to reduce costs brought the two closer to each other.
Modernising the facilities made possible with the support of EU funds The journey of the two companies began in 2003, when the current owners acquired the land and facilities of Nagyatád from the Balatoni fishing company and started pond fish production in a vast 300-hectare area. Within a year, the owners made the strategic decision to enhance their capabilities by integrating processing and marketing activities. This expansion took place in Kisbajcs, Gyor county, where they acquired the former Gyori Elore Fish Farmers Cooperative, inheriting the ongoing production there. Production continued In Nagyatád, while in Kisbajcs, after careful research and evaluation, a process that spanned three years, strategic new investments were
initiated. The majority of these endeavours was made possible through substantial support from the European Union. This support, amounting to 50-60% of the total investment, inspired the team with the confidence to venture into intensive production. The funding also enabled them to modernise and expand their processing facilities.
Adding high-value species to create market advantages Both companies strategically tailored their production methods, opting for fish species that thrive in high-quality water conditions, even though these species pose greater challenges during production. This deliberate choice significantly augmented the value of their output. By focusing on high-value species less commonly cultivated by others, they created a niche market advantage. This approach also enabled an increase in the traditional production of the most commonly produced species like carp, grass carp, bighead carp, breams, and pike, increasing competitiveness in the market. High-value species include pike-perch, the production of which started in 2010, African catfish which was added to the range in 2013, and sturgeon species such as sterlet, Siberian
Attila Boros, production manager at V95, a company producing African catfish.
sturgeon, Russian sturgeon, and beluga. The sturgeon species are utilized for caviar and meat production, as well as for restocking natural water bodies. This strategic diversification allowed the companies to maintain a strong foothold in the market while simultaneously contributing to the conservation and
sustainable replenishment of wild aquatic habitats.
Smaller head and thicker body are the key components to win consumers Traditionally, V95 Kft specialised in breeding various carp and bream
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