Unda

What Unda does

Unda (SIA UNDA) is a Latvian fish canning manufacturer operating from a production facility in Engure, Tukums district, with a corporate office in Riga. The company was founded in 1907 and owns the Diplomats brand, registered in 1931, which it uses for premium canned and smoked seafood products including sprats, brisling sardines, trout, salmon, herring, and white tuna (ventresca), finished in oils ranging from extra-virgin olive to avocado, grape seed, and pistachio. Production combines traditional natural-wood smoking, hand-finishing, and hand-arranged packaging with modern EU-compliant equipment, including autoclaves, glass-jar sealing, and a 1,000-tonne cold store. Unda also operates its own fishing vessels ("Unda" and "Kate," acquired 1998), giving it partial vertical integration in raw-material supply.

The business operates a multi-channel model. Revenue is generated from B2B export wholesale to retail chains and distributors in more than 20 countries, private-label manufacturing for retailer brands, and B2C sales through two Diplomats concept stores in Engure and Riga, supplemented by gift cards and a loyalty program. The company markets a 100+ SKU product portfolio, including the premium "Gourmet" line, an "Engure" traditional line, an "Alphabet" personalized gifting line, and a "Historical Heritage" gift line, and is expanding its distribution footprint through a Diplomats franchise program. The company is family-controlled (Bubišs family), privately held, and free of disclosed external investors.

Unda maintains annual IFS, BRC, MSC, HACCP, and (per partnership disclosures) ISO 9001 and ASC certifications, and was among the first Latvian fish processors to obtain EU export authorization in 1998. It has received EU EMFAF co-financing across six projects covering packaging, energy, and fuel inputs, and is a participant in the Latvian Food Cluster internationalization project. Operational technology investments include a VISMA ERP and employee self-service portal, a LĀSMA-built production result-accounting system, and an LNG energy partnership with Eesti Gaas. The company continues to exhibit at major international food trade shows (Seafood Expo Global, Gulfood, PLMA, Foodex Japan) as a core B2B customer-acquisition channel.

Name

Unda

Legal name

SIA UNDA

Website

https://diplomats.fish

Company type

Private

Founded year

1907

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Unda is a Latvian fish canning manufacturer founded in 1907 that produces premium smoked and canned seafood under the Diplomats brand. It serves B2B wholesale and private-label customers in over 20 countries, and operates Diplomats concept stores in Engure and Riga, plus a franchise program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Canned Seafood

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (31171), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (3117), Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (424460)

SIC

Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Canned, Frozen & Preservd Fruit, Veg & Food Specialties (2030), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Canned Meat, Poultry & Seafood Manufacturing (AFAKACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Frozen Seafood Meals & Value-Added Seafood (CRADADAG), Smoked, Cured & Salted Seafood (Lox, Kippers, Bacalao) (AFANADAF), Fresh & Frozen Seafood Fillets (Portioned, Skinless/Boneless) (AFANALAA)

Keywords

• Canned fish products
• Smoked seafood
• Fish preserves
• Private label seafood
• Premium canned seafood

Headquarters

HQ city

Tukums

HQ country

Latvia

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Fish Preserves and Canned Fish Products: Core revenue from production and sale of premium canned fish products including smoked sprats, trout fillets, brisling sardines, salmon, herring, tuna, and fried fish products. Products sold under Diplomats brand and private labels.
2. Private Label Manufacturing: Significant portion of production sold under customer private labels (PRIVATE LABEL). Custom manufacturing partnerships with retailers and distributors.
3. Retail Store Sales: Revenue from Diplomats concept stores selling directly to consumers. Stores offer 100+ products including merchandise (T-shirts, sweaters, hats, thermoses).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Unda is a Latvian fish canning company that manufactures and sells premium canned fish products under its Diplomats brand. Core products include smoked sprats, trout fillets, brisling sardines, salmon, herring, white tuna, and fried fish in various premium oils and sauces. The company also offers private-label manufacturing for retailers, operates Diplomats concept stores in Latvia (Engure and Riga), sells gift cards, and runs a franchise program.

Product overview

Unda (Diplomats) is a Latvian fish canning company founded in 1907, offering a diverse portfolio of premium canned seafood products. The core product lines include: Gourmet Trout Fillets (in various oils including EV Olive Oil, Avocado Oil, Brine, and with various flavorings like Chili, Dill, Lemon, Rosemary, and Mediterranean spices); Gourmet Smoked Sprats (in premium oils including Avocado, EV Olive Oil with Dill/Rosemary, Grape Seed, and Pistachio oils); Engure Smoked Sprats (traditional product reflecting over a century of local tradition); Fried Brisling Sardines (in various sauces including Green Chili, Tomato, Teriyaki, Caucasic, Chermoula, Sriracha, Sweet Chili, and Garlic); Ready Meals (Baltic, Korean, Mexican, Indian, and Italian style salmon meals with various grains and vegetables); Salmon products (in Brine, with Lemon, with Vegetables, in Tomato Sauce, and Teriyaki Sauce); Premium White Tuna products (including Ventresca); Smoked Herring and Trout; and Historical Heritage Products (premium gift line with traditional recipes). The company also operates two Diplomats concept stores (in Engure since 2023 and Riga since 2024) and offers franchise opportunities, gift cards, and discount programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Diplomats: Primary commercial brand for fish preserves and canned seafood products. Used across all product lines including Gourmet, Classic, and Historical Heritage series.
• Diplomats Alphabet
• Diplomats Franchise

Products and services

• Gourmet Trout Fillet products Premium canned trout fillet products in the Diplomats Gourmet line, featuring hand-selected fish preserved in EV olive oil, avocado oil, brine, and flavored with chili, Mediterranean spices, or rosemary. Sold at retail stores and wholesale.
• Gourmet Smoked Sprats products Premium canned smoked sprats in the Diplomats Gourmet line, preserved in specialty oils including avocado, extra virgin olive oil (with dill or rosemary), grape seed, and pistachio oils. Available in multiple sizes and gift sets.
• Engure Smoked Sprats in Oil Traditional smoked sprats from Engure, reflecting the local coastal village tradition. Sea-salted and traditionally smoked. A signature Latvian heritage product.
• Fried Brisling Sardines Traditional fried brisling sardines in a variety of international sauces including green chili, olive oil with lemon, teriyaki, Caucasic, chermoula, sriracha, sweet chili, garlic, and Tikka Masala. Sold at retail stores and wholesale.
• Fried Sprats in Tomato Sauce Traditional fried sprats in Unda's original tomato sauce recipe, available with or without jalapeño. Popular classic canned fish product.
• Salmon Ready Meals (Baltic, Korean, Mexican, Indian, Italian) Ready-to-eat canned salmon meals paired with grains and vegetables in international flavors: Baltic with buckwheat, Korean with carrot, Mexican with rice, Indian with rice, and Italian with grubotto.
• Canned Salmon Fillets Canned salmon fillets preserved in brine (with or without lemon), tomato sauce, teriyaki sauce, and with vegetables in tomato sauce. Available as individual SKUs and in 5-product assortment gift collections.
• White Tuna in Olive Oil (including Ventresca) Premium canned white tuna in olive oil, including Ventresca (tuna belly), known for its tender, juicy, silky texture. Carefully selected fish preserved in premium olive oil.
• Smoked Herring and Smoked Trout products Smoked herring (with pink peppers), smoked trout preserved in premium oil, and an exclusive smoked selection assortment combining three smoked seafood delicacies for Baltic coastal flavors.
• Brisling Sardines in Olive Oil Premium brisling sardines lightly smoked with natural wood chips, preserved in olive oil, and hand-arranged in the can.
• Riga Sprats in Oil Traditional Latvian smoked sprats in oil, produced since 1907. Available in 160g and 250g sizes with sophisticated packaging.
• Diplomats Alphabet Collection New 2026 product line of traditional smoked sprats in oil presented in distinctive black packaging featuring a single expressive letter, allowing customers to create personalized words, initials, or messages.
• Historical Heritage Products Gift Boxes Premium gift collections of the Historical Heritage series — sprats in olive and sunflower oil in classic, lemon, and bay leaf varieties. Available as standard and Christmas special edition gift boxes. All three products won silver and bronze medals at Baltic Taste Awards 2024.
• Diplomats Concept Store - Engure First Diplomats concept store opened in 2023 in Engure, Latvia, offering 100+ Diplomats brand fish preserve products, branded merchandise (T-shirts, sweaters, hats, thermoses), and live beer from Engure. Open daily 10:00-18:00.
• Diplomats Concept Store - Riga Second Diplomats concept store opened in 2024 in Riga at Tērbatas iela 14. Offers 100+ Diplomats brand products, branded merchandise, and live beer. Open Monday-Saturday 10:00-18:00.
• Diplomats Gift Cards Gift cards for use at Diplomats concept stores, available in 10, 25, and 50 EUR denominations. Valid until the date shown on the card; cannot be exchanged for cash; single use for full amount.
• Diplomats Franchise Program Franchise program for opening Diplomats concept stores. Provides exclusive store design, marketing materials, and product supply for professional long-term cooperation. Inquiries to [email protected].
• Private Label Fish Preserve Manufacturing Custom contract manufacturing of canned fish preserves under customer private labels. Significant portion of Unda's production is sold as private label products to retailers and distributors worldwide.

Quantifiable outcome

• Products enjoyed in more than 20 countries worldwide
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Latvijas Pārtikas Klasteris (Latvian Food Cluster)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnda participates in the Latvian Food Cluster project (nr. 5.1.1.2.i.0/3/24/A/), led by LPUF with AF co-financing. Project aims to provide funding for internationalization of Latvian Food Cluster members and increase private R&D investments.
• Nodarbinātības valsts aģentūra (National Employment Agency)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for summer employment program for students aged 15-20. Agency coordinates youth employment opportunities at the company for skill development and work experience.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Nordsee (owned by Müller):
• Century Tuna (Century Pacific Food): Philippine-based canned tuna and sardine brand under Century Pacific Food Inc. Comparable as a regional canned seafood incumbent with strong domestic brand, but operating primarily in Southeast Asia rather than Europe.

Emerging players

• Fish4Ever: UK-based specialty canned fish company focused on sustainably sourced, artisanal canned sardines, mackerel, and anchovies. Comparable as a niche European premium canned seafood brand with similar sustainability and heritage positioning.
• Wild Planet Foods: US sustainable seafood brand offering premium canned sardines, mackerel, and salmon with sustainability certifications (MSC, FOS). Comparable in sustainability positioning (both hold MSC), premium pricing, and specialty retail channel focus.

Direct peers

• King Oscar: Norwegian premium canned seafood brand specializing in sardines, mackerel, and sprats in specialty oils. Owned by Thai Union. Closest direct comparable to Unda in product format, premium positioning, and European specialty distribution.
• Connie's Kitchen (Connie's): Canadian premium canned seafood brand specializing in smoked oysters, mussels, and sardines in specialty oils. Comparable in premium positioning, specialty-oil product strategy, and direct-to-consumer retail approach.
• Bar Harbor / Bumble Bee Seafoods: US-based canned seafood brand offering premium brisling sardines, smoked herring, and specialty canned fish. Comparable to Unda in product format (small specialty fish, oil-based preservation) and gourmet retail positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Bolton Group (Rio Mare, Isabel): Large Italian-owned conglomerate producing premium canned tuna and fish under Rio Mare and Isabel brands. Operates broadly across European seafood with overlapping canned fish category presence.
• Princes Group: UK-headquartered major canned food and beverage group with extensive canned tuna, sardine, and fish product lines. Significant private label and branded play across Europe, comparable to Unda's B2B and private label model.
• Thai Union Group: Global seafood giant owning Chicken of the Sea, King Oscar, and Petit Navire brands. Operates massive canned and frozen seafood manufacturing with multi-site redundancy — direct comparison for scale economics in the canned seafood category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses3 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtiktok.com/@diplomats.fish?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
• YouTubeyoutu.be/O8eDvk_S23k?si=JmAMC7mz5jWcDFGL
• Facebookfacebook.com/unda.latvia
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unda-sia
• Instagraminstagram.com/diplomats.fish
• TikToktiktok.com/@diplomats.fish?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Unda