4 juli 2011
Queens informs journalists about  Pangasius farming in Vietnam

At the invitation of Queens Products six Dutch journalists from various media and a photographer visited Vietnam during the last week of June. Purpose of this visit was to inform the guests about Pangasius farming in the country.

The group visited the entire pangasius chain. From the hatchery to the fish feed factory of Vinh Hoan, the pangasius supplier of Queens.

During the trip were meetings with representatives of the government (the Research Institute of Aquaculture in Vietnam), the VASEP, the Vietnamese organization of fish producers and exporters, VINAFIS, the organization of the Vietnamese fish farmers and a researcher of Wageningen University and Research Centre. The issues discussed were the latest developments, challenges and future plans of the Pangasius farming sector. The journalists appreciated the openness of the Vietnamese partners.

Harry Hoogendoorn of Queens: ' There are many misconceptions on the farming of Pangasius in Vietnam. We find it important to show the real situation and why we choose from the start in 2002 for this supplier who controls the entire production chain. "

 

March 2011
Queens Products supports sustainable pangasius Vietnam

Queens Products is the leading Dutch supplier of fresh frozen panga fillets. Queens is a great believer of sustainability. Director Harry Hoogendoorn: “Our fish must be produced sustainably. Therefore we work together with only one supplier in Vietnam, who is leader in this field”.
The pangasius industry in Vietnam can be improved on a number of points. In order to help Vietnam, the Supa project was started at the beginning of 2011, to optimize pangasius farming.
The project is directed by the Centre of Fishery Technology in Vietnam (FITES) and the Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Furthermore all kinds of other institutions and organizations are involved. Queens Products and its pangasius supplier participate in the project as well. Director Harry Hoogendoorn: “We want to contribute actively in sustainable and responsible pangasius farming. Fish farming is necessary in order to be able to feed the growing number of people on earth with quality products, without damaging the environment.”
The joint-venture for this project was signed in the presence of Prince Willem-Alexander, Princess Maxima and State-Secretary of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation Bleeker, during the official state visit to Vietnam.
On the photo are: Henk Bleeker, State-Secretary of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation, Mrs Khan, CEO Vinh Hoan and Harry Hoogendoorn, Director Queens Products.

January 2011
Queens Products’ tilapia supplier certified according latest standards

Queens Products’ tilapia supplier Regal Springs Tilapia Group, has recently been certified according to the latest ISRTA-standards for tilapia-farms. This farm is the second company in the world that has been certified according to these latest standard. The farm of Regal Springs in Honduras was certified first at the end of 2010. This standard is anticipating the introduction of ASC (Aquaculture Stewardship Council) for sustainable fish farming. The development of ASC is still in progress. In the mean time the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the industry have developed the ISRTA-standard for tilapia. The standard is based on the Global GAP requirements and are in accordance with the requirements, which were established in the Tilapia Aquaculture Dialogue. The audits are being executed by the Swiss surveillant IMO.

Regal Springs Tilapia Group is the biggest tilapia producer in the world. The company started as a small enterprise in the beginning of 1990 in an area abounding in water on Java, Indonesia. Nowadays the company employs 6000 people and has production locations in Honduras, Indonesia and Mexico.

Regal Springs Tilapia Group Indonesia has been the regular tilapia supplier of Queens Products. “Our supplier Regal Springs  grows tilapia in a sustainable way in Indonesia. But there is more to it than fish farming. Regal Springs also considers the local population and economics in their way of sustainable thinking. We found a reliable partner-supplier in Regal Springs, who is thinking and working in the same way as we do. Taking the lead in the field of food safety and sustainability”.

ISRTA-standard
The ISRTA-standard (International Standard for Responsible Tilapia Aquaculture) supervises fish farms on seven different aspects, including environmental- and social aspects.
These are, among others, protecting the natural, local biodiversity, responsible use of water sources, guarding and protecting of animal health and welfare of the fish, and bearing responsibility for employees and communities.

More information about Regal Springs Tilapia Group

January 2011
Pangalicious: THE fish success of 2010!

Pangalicious was introduced to the Dutch supermarkets in 2010 and have been a great success from the beginning. Now, over 700.000 bags of Pangalicious have been sold. Pangalicious are marinated pangasius fillets. Pangasius is a freshwater white fish that is sustainably farmed in the Vietnamese Mekong Delta. Panga fillets were already very popular. The fillets, marinated with lemon and coriander or with mustard and dill, appeared even more appealing to consumers. Supermarkets are approached regularly with the question if they sell Pangalicious. Therefore Pangalicious became THE success of 2010.