Wednesday, September 03, 2008 Tuna firm ventures into canned tuna production
A HOMEGROWN, medium-size enterprise processing firm in General Santos City has started the production of a premium canned tuna product intended for the high-end market.
Francisco M. Santos, co-owner of Frescomar Seahelm Corp., said they will formally launch Ocean Deli Homestyle Tuna in Corn Oil next month, although it is now available in the market through its branches in southern and central Mindanao.
"We had a soft-launching last month as a taste-teaser. Aside from canned tuna, we also produced canned bangus also cooked in corn oil," he said.
"We developed Ocean Deli since I realized that General Santos, being the "Tuna Capital of the Philippines, still does not have a really locally branded canned tuna product. Our target clienteles is the high-end and pasalubong markets," he added.
Frescomar Seahelm is the first local medium enterprise tuna processor outside the city's canning industry that has ventured into the production of canned tuna.
The company, before this latest offering, has been into the processing of tuna chorizo, patties, embutido, spring rolls, nuggets and others.
It is also selling its other products like premium cut, frozen smoked tuna panga, tails and belly under the brand name Pacific Seas.
Ocean Deli products are targeted for the high-scale market, with the canned tuna selling at P45 and canned bangus at P50 for a 185-gram can, Santos said.
Research and development of the canned tuna and bangus products took two years, wherein only premium grade ingredients are used, he said.
The company also recommended the new products for picnic-goers because of its easy-to-open flip-top lid.
Ocean Deli is available at Frescomar Seahelm's Pacific Seas Seafood Market in the cities of General Santos, Davao, and Koronadal and a potential to display the new products at established stores is being considered.
Santos said they would welcome the accommodation of Ocean Deli in the shelves of Shoe Mart and New City Commercial Corp.
"We're exploring possibilities to get our canned product in established commercial stores for a larger market of high-end clients," he said.
Ocean Deli tuna is a healthy product with the natural Omega 3 fatty acid, Santos assured.
Jonilo M. Bayon-on, a staff of Pacific Seas Seafood Market, said in a separate interview that Ocean Deli tuna is "showing promise" among clients.
"It is moving. Since last month, our weekly average sales reach two boxes," Bayon-on said, adding each box contains 48 cans.
Frescomar Seahelm is one of the most-recognized tuna processors in the medium enterprise category.
It was adjudged as "Product Innovator Award of the Year" during the annual Yaman Gensan or Yabong Maliliit na Negosyo sa Gensan, which was organized by the City Government, in 2005. (BSS)
