Kerimäki Fish House
About this good practice
The Fish House is the initiative of local fishermen who were assisted by the municipality for securing funding for the investment. The investment was financed by the EU as primary production facility for processing fish. The initiative was raised when the previous wholesales could not accommodate all the catch. The main product of the Fish House is gutted Puruvesi vendace. The annual catch processed is c. 400-500 tons and the turnover in the range of 2,0 million euros.
The main products are rounded and gutted vendace, vendace roe and to lesser degree other lake fish like perch. Product is delivered fresh or frozen to wholesalers, restaurants around the country and to supermarkets in the region. Superior quality is guaranteed with a delivery chain where fish is kept in ice from the moment it is lifted from the lake. A proof of quality is that several top restaurants in the capital city Helsinki rely on Fish House to deliver the high-quality vendace to their kitchen.
The facility was built and started operation in 2014. 700 m2 of total area consist of 240 m2¬ processing facilities, cold storage for incoming and outgoing fish and gutting residues. In addition there are staff and office facilities, storage and a loading dock. The investment was financed 90% from EU fisheries fund.
Resources needed
Onetime investment of 2,8 M euros in 2014, co-financing of 90% covered. Possible investments in expansion.
Evidence of success
- Sustained since 2014 the fishing tradition on Puruvesi and the livelihood of seven fishermen.
- Implemented successful investment in the town of Kerimäki utilizing EU funds in an appropriate way to generate impact
- Processing significant volume of local lake fish annually
- Steady annual turnover of 1,5-2,0 million euros
- Has created 10-12 regular and 25-40 seasonal jobs in Savonlinna
Potential for learning or transfer
- experience of financing through EU fisheries fund
- cooperation model and experience of fishermen working together toward a common goal
- utilizing the story of the PGI product for differentiation and strengthening competitiveness on the market
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.