Conservas Ortiz

A Familys Journey from Fishing Village to Global Excellence

Conservas Ortiz is a prestigious Spanish brand renowned for producing premium canned seafood using time-honored artisanal methods. The company was founded in 1891 by Bernardo Ortiz de Zárate in the fishing town of Ondarroa, located in the Basque Country, northern Spain. Situated along the Bay of Biscay, Ondarroa is known for its rich marine ecosystem and its long-standing traditions in sustainable fishing and seafood preservation.

Bernardo began his career as a fisherman, gaining intimate knowledge of the ocean and its offerings. After years of working in fishing, he recognized the potential of preserving seafood and decided to open a small cannery, producing canned tuna and anchovies for the local market.

Handmade Quality That Set the Standard

From the very beginning, Bernardo emphasized quality above all else. The fish were selected carefully and processed using meticulous, manual techniques. Everythingfrom cleaning and filleting to packing the fish into canswas done by hand, a tradition still honored today.

This hands-on approach allowed Conservas Ortiz to maintain the natural flavor, texture, and nutritional value of the fish. The company became known for producing canned seafood that was not only convenient but gourmet-qualityflavorful, clean, and respectful of its origins.

Only the Best: Carefully Selected Ingredients

Conservas Ortiz has always prioritized sourcing the finest raw materials:

• White tuna (Bonito del Norte) caught in the pristine waters off the Basque coast during the best fishing seasons
• Anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, known for their rich, umami-packed flavor

This dedication to quality raw materials helped build Ortizs reputation as a benchmark for traditional Spanish seafood.

A Legacy Passed Through Generations

After Bernardo passed away, his wife Petra López de Aréchaga took over the business and renamed it Viuda de Ortiz e hijo (Widow of Ortiz and Son). In 1942, the couples sons, José Ortiz and José Antonio Ortiz, stepped in to manage operations. Under their leadership, the company was formally incorporated as Conservas Ortiz in 1956.

Throughout the generations, the Ortiz family has remained committed to preserving the brands core values: artisanal production, sustainable practices, and exceptional taste. The company has grown in size and global reach, but it has never abandoned its manual techniques or its family-owned model.

Responsible Fishing and Respect for the Ocean

Conservas Ortiz is a pioneer in sustainable fishing practices. Long before sustainability became a global concern, Ortiz adopted pole-and-line fishing techniques to catch tunamethods that significantly reduce bycatch (the unintentional capture of other marine species) and help preserve the balance of marine ecosystems.

The company views sustainable fishing not as a marketing strategy, but as a moral obligationto protect ocean biodiversity and ensure future generations can enjoy the seas bounty.

A Range of Artisanal Products

Over time, Conservas Ortiz expanded its offerings beyond tuna and anchovies to include a variety of canned seafood delicacies, all prepared with the same commitment to craftsmanship. Popular products include:

• Bonito del Norte: This tender white tuna undergoes a unique aging process, similar to wine, that enhances its flavor and texture over time. The result is a soft, buttery tuna with deep, savory notes.
  
  
• Sardinas en Aceite de Oliva: Sardines preserved in high-quality olive oil, offering a rich, smooth flavor profile and melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  
  
• Anchoas del Cantábrico: Anchovies from the Cantabrian Sea, prized for their bold, concentrated flavor and hand-layered presentation.
  
  
• Mackerel, Cod Roe, and moreall crafted to traditional Spanish standards.

From Spain to the World

In the 1980s, Conservas Ortiz began exporting its products internationally, with great success. Today, their gourmet canned seafood is available across Europe, the Americas, and Asia, and is widely appreciated by:

• World-class chefs
• Gourmet retailers
• Home cooks seeking premium ingredients

The brand has won numerous awards for taste and quality, including the Superior Taste Award from the International Taste & Quality Institute (iTQi)one of the most respected honors in the global food industry.

Still Family-Owned, Still Handmade

Now managed by the fifth generation of the Ortiz family, Conservas Ortiz continues to follow the same principles that Bernardo began in 1891:

• Do everything with care
• Honor the ocean
• Preserve flavor, freshness, and tradition

Even in todays industrialized food world, Conservas Ortiz proves that true craftsmanship and deep respect for nature never go out of style.

Find Conservas Ortiz canned seafood at Rimping Supermarket and experience the rich, refined taste of Spains culinary coastlinepreserved in every hand-packed can.