Carnia

What Carnia does

Companyia General Càrnia ("Càrnia") is a vertically integrated meat processing and wholesale distribution company headquartered at the Mercabarna wholesale food market in Barcelona, Spain. Founded in 1920 and historically rooted in butchery stalls at La Boqueria and El Ninot markets, the company today operates a multi-protein portfolio of roughly 2,000 SKUs spanning beef/veal, lamb, goat, pork, poultry and rabbit, processed meats (sausages, hamburgers, meatballs, kebab, marinated products), organic offerings under the Pirinat sub-brand, a plant-based line under CàrniaVeg, and frozen products via the ICA Foods sub-brand. Its asset base includes the Mercabarna headquarters and slaughterhouse, additional slaughter and processing capacity in Sabadell (Osvaca), Montcada i Reixach operations, ~20,000 m² of facilities with ~8,000 m² of refrigerated zones, and a 21,000 m² development plot within Mercabarna.

The business operates a B2B, transaction-fee model selling into four primary channels: HORECA/foodservice (hotels, restaurants, bars, catering/collectivities), supermarket and distribution chains, traditional butcher shops, and international export (Europe, Caribbean incl. Cuba, Middle East incl. Morocco, Asia incl. Japan and South Korea). Distribution is executed through Càrnia's own fleet of 40 refrigerated vehicles for domestic delivery (>800 deliveries daily across Spain) supplemented by logistics partners and local distributors abroad. Supporting technology includes advanced packaging capabilities (vacuum, MAP, skin, IQF, EAP, Gastronorm), eco-friendly refrigeration using glycol and ammonia plus 100+ kW of solar generation, farm-to-consumer traceability, and Dry Aged 60-day processing. The company holds IFS, Halal, Welfair (animal welfare), CCPAE (organic), Certicar, QC, and Codi Bones Pràctiques Comercials certifications.

The corporate group is privately held by three families (Carnes Tonijuan S.A., Carns Salas S.A., and Carns Catalana Pallej\u00e0) following the 2022 full merger with Osvaca, with no evidence of external private equity or institutional ownership, and no public listing. Subsidiaries include PCQ and Miret (meat distribution/trading), Pirinat (organic livestock), COPINSA (animal feed), Productes del Cinquè Quart (fifth-quarter products), and ICA Foods (frozen). Roughly 400 professionals from 21 nationalities are employed, 88% on permanent contracts with 15-year average seniority. Marketing relies on trade-show presence (Alimentaria Barcelona, Gastronomic Forum Barcelona), industry press coverage (Cinco Días / El País), corporate blogging, and social-responsibility initiatives (Fundació Villavecchia, Banc dels Aliments).

Name

Carnia

Legal name

COMPANYIA GENERAL CARNIA, S.A.

Website

https://carnia.es

Company type

Private

Founded year

1920

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Companyia General Càrnia is a Barcelona-based, vertically integrated meat processor and wholesale distributor serving butchers, supermarket chains, HORECA operators, and export markets across Europe, the Caribbean, the Middle East, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Meat Processing and Distribution

NAICS

Animal Slaughtering and Processing (3116), Meat Processed from Carcasses (311612), Animal (except Poultry) Slaughtering (311611), Perishable Prepared Food Manufacturing (311991)

SIC

Meat Packing Plants (2011), Sausages & Other Prepared Meat Products (2013), Poultry Slaughtering And Processing (2015), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Ground & Formed Meat Products Manufacturing (Burgers, Sausages, Meatballs) (AFAKALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Further Processing (Cooked, Smoked, Cured & Deli Meats) (AFAKALAD), Formed & Restructured Meats (Nuggets, Patties, Logs, Portion-Control) (AFANAEAI), Prepared Meat & Seafood Entrées with Sides (Complete Meals) (AFANAFAI), Foodservice/Institutional Prepared Meat & Seafood Meals (Bulk/Portioned) (AFANAFAK), Offal & Variety Meats Processing (Liver, Kidney, Heart, Tongue, Tripe) (AFANAJAA)

Keywords

• Meat processing services
• Wholesale meat distribution
• HORECA meat supply
• Refrigerated cold chain
• Slaughterhouse services

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wholesale Meat Sales: Slaughter and wholesale sales of beef, lamb, goat, and other meat through Mercabarna abattoir. Serves butchers, supermarket chains, and distribution partners with both organic and conventional livestock.
2. Retail and Distribution Sales: Production and sale to distributors and retailers including cutting, filleting, and manufactured processed meat products. Envasados al vacío, skin, MAP, Gastronorm, IQF formats.
3. HORECA/ Food Service: Prepared meat products for restaurants, hotels, bars, and collectivities. Custom formulations and formats for catering sector including skewers, burgers, meatballs, and specialized cuts.
4. Export and International Sales: International sales to Europe, Caribbean (Cuba), Middle East (Morocco), and Asia (Japan, South Korea). Expansion of export markets with new routes opened in 2025.
5. Frozen and Processed Products: Through ICA Foods acquisition, frozen meat products including hamburgers, meatballs, and minced meat. Advanced freezing and refrigeration technologies for export market.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Companyia General Càrnia is a vertically integrated meat processor and wholesale distributor operating from Mercabarna in Barcelona. It slaughters livestock, processes fresh and frozen meat across beef, lamb, goat, pork, poultry, rabbit, processed meats, vegan, and frozen product lines, and distributes them to butchers, supermarket chains, HORECA operators, and international export markets via its own refrigerated fleet and partner distributors.

Product overview

Companyia General Càrnia operates as a vertically integrated meat processing and distribution company with a comprehensive portfolio organized around seven core product lines: beef/veal (Vacuno), lamb and goat (Ovino y Caprino), pork (Porcino), poultry and rabbit (Aves y Conejo), processed meats (Elaborados), vegan alternatives (CàrniaVeg), and frozen products via the acquired ICA Foods brand. The company offers a complete service continuum from slaughter and wholesale (Sacrificio y Venta Mayoristas) through processing and retail distribution to HORECA/foodservice supply and temperature-controlled logistics. The portfolio is complemented by the Pirinat organic meat sub-brand and various specialty lines including dry-aged beef (60 days) and Halal-certified products. With facilities spanning over 20,000 m² at Mercabarna, the company processes fresh, frozen, and prepared meat products serving butchers, supermarket chains, restaurants, hotels, and export markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CàrniaVeg: Vegan plant-based hamburger brand with 100% plant base (soy), similar texture to beef, available fresh and frozen in 80g or 120g units with 21-day shelf life fresh and 1-year frozen, recyclable cardboard packaging with oxygen-free modified atmosphere.

Products and services

• C\u00e0rnia Vacuno (Beef and Veal) Fresh and frozen beef and veal products including carcasses, cuts, steaks, ground meat, and 60-day dry-aged premium beef. Specialty lines include Ternera Gallega D.O. and Ternera Salamanca D.O. for retail and food service customers.
• C\u00e0rnia Ovino y Caprino (Lamb and Goat) Lamb and goat products including whole carcasses, cuts, and specialty items. Lambs sourced primarily from Catalonia and Aragon (6-17 kg); kids fed exclusively on milk and slaughtered at 3-4 weeks (3-5 kg carcass). Halal-certified options available.
• C\u00e0rnia Porcino (Pork) Pork products including Iberian, Duroc, and white pork varieties. Available as whole cuts or packaged portions in IQF, MAP, and Skin formats for retail and HORECA customers.
• C\u00e0rnia Aves y Conejo (Poultry and Rabbit) Poultry and rabbit products including whole chickens, turkey, duck, pheasant, poussin, and rabbit. Available in eviscerated, cut, and portioned formats with halal options for export and food service.

Quantifiable outcome

• 800+ deliveries daily across Spain
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OsvacacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Initially acquired 50% in 2022, then completed full merger to create a group owned by three families. Integrates Osvaca, COPINSA (animal feed), Sabadell slaughterhouse, and Productes del Cinquè Quart, creating a fully vertically integrated chain from farm to consumer.
• ICA FoodscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Acquired in 2021, ICA Foods is specialized in frozen products such as hamburgers, meatballs, and minced meat. Brings advanced freezing and refrigeration technologies, strong R&D capabilities, and opens new export market opportunities.
• Carns Catalana PallejàcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Founded in 1987 by Catalan livestock farmers at Mercabarna. Integrated into Càrnia in 2016, bringing direct farm-to-consumer supply chain model controlling entire distribution without intermediaries.
• PirinatcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Organic livestock project with young farmers in the Ripollès region for ecological beef and lamb production. Combines Càrnia's market access with farmers' production expertise.
• Fundació Enriqueta VillavecchiaminorOthersPediatric oncology foundation. Càrnia participated in 2026 Solidarity Dinner raising €77,300 for children with serious illnesses and their families. Part of social responsibility program.
• Banc dels AlimentsminorOthersFood bank fighting food waste and hunger by distributing food to those in need. Càrnia contributes through surplus product donations.
• IWEC FoundationminorOthersWorldwide organization of 20+ chambers of commerce connecting and empowering women entrepreneurs internationally.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Vion Food Group: Dutch-based European meat major with slaughter, deboning, and processed meat operations serving retail, food service, and industrial customers. Comparable core activity but significantly larger geographic footprint than Càrnia.
• Danish Crown: European cooperative meat group operating slaughter, processing, and prepared meat (sausages, canned, ingredients) businesses across retail and food service. Comparable end markets but cooperative, multi-national scale well beyond Càrnia.
• Campofrío Food Group: European processed meats multinational (now under Sigma Alimentos) with leading brands in cold cuts and ready meals across Spain, Western Europe and beyond. Comparable processed-meat products but vastly larger scale and brand reach than Càrnia.
• Tönnies: One of Europe's largest meat processors with slaughter and processing for beef, pork, and prepared products across retail and food service. Comparable activity set but at materially larger scale and broader geographic reach than Càrnia.
• ElPozo Alimentación: Spain's largest processed-meat company with major capacity in cured meats, sausages, and prepared products sold across retail and HORECA. Overlaps in product portfolio but operates at substantially larger scale and stronger consumer brand.

Direct peers

• Costa Food Group: Vertically integrated Spanish meat group (pork, beef, processed meats, slaughter, distribution) operating across retail and HORECA channels. Highly comparable to Càrnia's farm-to-customer model and Spanish/Iberian footprint.
• Grupo Jorge: Integrated Spanish meat group spanning pig farming, slaughter, cutting, and processed meat manufacturing. Similar B2B meat distribution model and multi-product portfolio to Càrnia.
• Incarlopsa: Spanish integrated meat company operating slaughter, cutting, processing, and cured/deli meat manufacturing with strong HORECA and retail distribution in Spain. Direct overlap with Càrnia's processed and fresh meat offering.
• Vall Companys: Catalan-rooted Spanish meat and food group with slaughter, processing, and multi-product meat operations including pork, poultry, and prepared items. Comparable customer base (retail, food service, butchers) and similar Iberian geographic focus.

Regional players

• Friboi (JBS): Brazil-based global beef processor with slaughter, processing, and branded beef operations across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. Comparable slaughter-to-processing chain but operates primarily in a different geography from Càrnia's Iberian base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/GeneralCarnia

Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries6 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 Carnia