la belle-iloise

What la belle-iloise does

la belle-iloise is a privately held, third-generation French family-owned fish cannery founded in 1932 by Georges Hilliet in Quiberon, Brittany. The company produces more than 200 canned fish and seafood products across sardines, tuna, mackerel, fish spreads and rillettes, soups, ready-to-eat meals, sauces and condiments, and themed gift boxes, supported by a Research & Development pipeline of 100+ recipes developed over 20 years under head chef François Sehier. Production relies on artisanal fish preparation including manual hand-trimming from gutting to casing, traditional appertization (canning), and ISO 22000-certified food safety management covering the full chain from raw materials to finished cans. Since 2023 la belle-iloise has operated as a mission-driven company (société à mission) and was awarded the Enseigne Responsable label in 2022 for sustainability commitments aligned with the UN SDGs and ISO 26000.

Name

la belle-iloise

Legal name

la belle-iloise

Website

https://labelleiloise.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1932

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

La belle-iloise is a third-generation French family-owned fish cannery producing 200+ premium canned seafood products. It sells via 94 directly-owned stores in France and Belgium, e-commerce to approximately 50 countries, and B2B wholesale and corporate gift channels.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Artisanal Canned Seafood

NAICS

Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging (311710), Fish and Seafood Retailers (44525), Fish and Seafood Merchant Wholesalers (42446)

SIC

Food And Kindred Products (2000), Prepared Fresh Or Frozen Fish & Seafoods (2092), Retail-Food Stores (5400)

akta.pro primary industry

Seafood Wholesale (Fresh & Frozen) (AFAIADAD)

Keywords

• Canned fish production
• Artisanal fish canning
• Premium seafood products
• Corporate gift boxes
• Gourmet food retail

Headquarters

HQ city

Quiberon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Direct Retail Sales (B2C): Sales through 94 company-owned stores, e-commerce website, and mail-order catalogue. Consumers purchase premium canned fish, spreads, soups, sauces, and gift boxes at factory or retail prices.
2. Wholesale to Retailers (B2B): Sales to resellers including delicatessens, concept stores, regional produce stores, fishmongers, bars, restaurants across France and internationally. Minimum order with carriage paid for orders over €230 excluding VAT.
3. Corporate Gifts (B2B): Themed gift box catalogues for companies, administrations, and associations to purchase for employees, customers, or partners.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

La belle-iloise is a family-owned Breton fish cannery founded in 1932 that produces and distributes 200+ canned fish and seafood products. The portfolio centers on sardines, tuna, and mackerel, complemented by fish spreads and rillettes, soups, ready-to-eat dishes, sauces and condiments, themed gift boxes, and a new plant-based range incorporating Breton seaweed. Products are sold direct-to-consumer through 94 owned stores, e-commerce, and a twice-yearly catalog, alongside B2B wholesale to gourmet retailers and a corporate gifts division.

Product overview

La belle-iloise is a family-owned French fish cannery founded in 1932 in Quiberon, producing over 200 canned fish and seafood products distributed through 94 direct-sales stores, e-commerce, and catalog. The product portfolio centers on sardines, tuna (white albacore), and mackerel as core offerings, complemented by fish spreads and rillettes, soups, ready-to-eat dishes, sauces and condiments (including seaweed-based products and pestos), and themed gift boxes. Since 2024, the company has expanded into plant-based products combining vegetables, legumes, and Brittany seaweed. Distribution includes B2B services for retailers and corporate gifts. The company is ISO 22000 certified and operates as a mission-driven company since 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Sardines Canned sardines in multiple preparations including Classics, Specialities, Bonless, Flaked, Spreads, and hot-served options, sold through retail stores, e-commerce and wholesale partners.
• Tuna White albacore tuna products sold au naturel, with olive oil, flaked, and as spreads and rillettes.
• Mackerel Mackerel products in various preparations including flaked, fillets, spreads and rillettes.
• Fish Spreads and Rillettes Spreadable fish products including fish spreads, fish and vegetable spreads, and seaweed vegetable spreads for aperitif consumption.
• Soups Fish and shellfish soups, fish and vegetable soups, vegetable and seaweed soups, and rouilles packaged in cans.
• Ready to Eat meals Ready-to-eat meal offerings including little dishes, ready-to-eat salads, and sandwich fillings.
• Sauces and Condiments Condiments including pestos, mustards, rouille sauce, organic Mayoz'algues sauce, and seaweed-based products combining Breton seaweed with vegetables and legumes.
• Gift Boxes Themed gift boxes including Fisherman's basket, The Iconics, The Regions, and The Accessories collections, sold to consumers and corporate gift buyers.
• Le Tube LBI Gift Set Gourmet hit parade gift set for aperitif lovers featuring three iconic recipes, presented in a tube format.
• Reflets d'Azur Gift Box Limited edition metal gift box with four recipes evoking southern warmth, bundled with a gold-toned magnet by Poussiere des Rues.
• Plant-Based Product Range Range of plant-based products combining vegetables, legumes, and seaweed from Brittany, supporting diet diversification and reduced environmental impact.
• Mayoz'algues Fish-Free Product 100% vegetable fish-free product with Breton seaweed and Provencal notes, including the Brittany Seaweed & Olive Tartare.
• Retailer Program (B2B Wholesale) B2B wholesale program for retailers in France and internationally, offering access to the full product catalog, dedicated support, tailored offers, and a minimum order threshold of €230 excluding VAT with carriage paid.
• Corporate Gifts Service Themed gift box catalog and sales service for companies, administrations, and associations to purchase premium Breton canned fish gifts for employees, customers, or partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 13,242 verified customer reviews with 9.6/10 rating
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• La QuiberonnaisecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2023La belle-iloise completed its first external growth operation by acquiring La Quiberonnaise in October 2023. This marked the company's first acquisition, strengthening its position in the Quiberon canned fish market.
• Local Fishermen PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLong-term partnerships with local fishermen based on proximity, trust and transparency. Fishermen are selected based on their commitment to respecting natural resources and the environment. Work closely with fishermen experienced in the sea and guided by scientific advice.
• Iliens (Low-Carbon Sailing Shuttle)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLa belle-iloise supports Iliens, France's first low-carbon sailing shuttle between Quiberon and Belle-Ile. Part of the company's commitment to reducing environmental impact.
• La Fromagerie d'ArvorminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting local entrepreneurs initiative. Partnership with La Fromagerie d'Arvor as part of supporting local economic and social activity in the region.
• Biocean (Organic Seaweed Producer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganic seaweed producer in Roscoff Bay, Brittany. Supplier of seaweed for la belle-iloise's plant-based products and condiments.
• Poussière des Rues (Lyon-based Brand)minorOthersLyon-based brand that designed the gold-toned magnet included in the Reflets d'Azur gift box. Designed to hold notes, add decorative touch, or be worn as a brooch.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• La Quiberonnaise: Historic Quiberon-based Breton cannery producing canned sardines, tuna, and shellfish. Now wholly owned by la belle-iloise (acquired October 2023) but historically a direct local peer in the same geography and category.
• Petit Navire: Iconic French canned fish brand (sardines, tuna) owned by Thai Union Group. Directly competes with la belle-iloise in the same French retail channels and product categories.
• Saupiquet: Major French canned fish brand (sardines, tuna, mackerel) owned by Bolton Group. Direct competitor in the same product category with broader mass-market distribution, useful for benchmarking scale and pricing.
• Ortiz: Spanish premium conservas brand (anchovies, tuna, sardines) with a strong heritage story and artisanal positioning. Comparable premium, heritage-driven canned seafood brand competing for similar specialty retail and gourmet customers in Europe.
• King Oscar: Norwegian premium canned fish brand (sardines, mackerel, tuna) also owned by Thai Union. Comparable premium positioning, sustainable sourcing story, and presence in European and US specialty retail.
• Nuri: Portuguese premium canned fish brand (sardines, mackerel) with artisanal heritage and collectible tin design. Direct peer in the European premium canned seafood segment with similar brand and packaging cues.
• Rügen Fisch: German seafood processor and brand (Matjes, canned fish, fish specialties), historically part of Unilever. Comparable European seafood manufacturer with retail distribution in the same mass and specialty channels.
• Connétable: French canned fish brand (sardines, tuna, mackerel) with a similar premium positioning and French retail presence. Closest direct peer to la belle-iloise in the French market with overlapping product range and customer base.

Emerging players

• Léa Nature: French organic and plant-based food group (Bjorg, Jardin Bio) with strong sustainability credentials and a growing presence in premium French retail. Comparable in mission-driven positioning and overlap with la belle-iloise's emerging plant-based/seaweed range.

Broad incumbents

• Bonduelle: Large French preserved-food incumbent (canned and frozen vegetables, salads, prepared foods). Comparable in terms of French heritage brand, retail scale, and B2B presence, but operating in a broader food portfolio rather than the seafood niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@conserverielabelleiloise
• Facebookfacebook.com/labelleiloise
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/conserverie-la-belle-iloise
• Instagraminstagram.com/labelleiloise

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 la belle-iloise