“VG Marine Foods” has started shrimp production in Lithuania
“VG Marine Foods” (VGMF), part of the Vičiūnai Group, has launched shrimp processing and production operations.
The new production direction will enable the company to expand its seafood assortment, strengthen quality control, and offer a wider selection of freshly processed products to different markets.
At the start - two main shrimp types
Production begins with two main shrimp types: globally popular whiteleg shrimp and wild northern shrimp. Whiteleg shrimp will mainly be sourced from farms in Ecuador, known for their high quality standards, but if needed, suppliers from other regions such as India or Vietnam will also be engaged. Meanwhile, northern shrimp will mostly arrive already cooked to preserve their best qualities.
“VGMF plans to use shrimp of various sizes and preparation types - head-on, headless, fully peeled, or with tail. The assortment will include cooked, blanched, and raw shrimp, both frozen and chilled,” says Kristina Labukienė, Head of Project Group at Vičiūnai & Co.
Full in-factory production control - a major distinction in Lithuania
One of the key differentiators of VG Marine Foods is that the entire shrimp processing cycle takes place in Lithuania, at the company’s factory. Unlike many market players who import ready-prepared shrimp, the company manages the full process itself - from raw material preparation to final packaging. This ensures higher product quality, greater freshness, and flexibility in responding to market needs.
“The entire technological cycle can take from several hours up to around a day, allowing the company to respond flexibly to orders and market demand,” says M. Klimas, CEO of VGMF.
Different packaging solutions
An additional advantage for the company is that part of the chilled products will be cooked on-site and immediately packaged using modified atmosphere technology. This helps preserve freshness, taste, and texture for longer, and such a solution is still new in Lithuania.
Different packaging solutions will be applied depending on the product type. Frozen products will be packed both in bulk boxes and retail flow-pack packaging. Chilled products, on the other hand, will be packed in trays with sealed film, ensuring product protection and consumer convenience.
Innovative labeling: “direct print” technology on shrimp packaging
The company is also implementing innovative labeling solutions. Some frozen products will be labeled using “direct print” technology, where all necessary information is printed directly on the packaging film. This allows more efficient management of a wide assortment and faster adaptation to the needs of different markets.
Traditional labels will be used for chilled products to ensure clear information presentation and a consistent design.
A strategic step in Plungė
The shrimp processing line has been installed in Plungė, where the main VG Group production infrastructure is already in place. This location was chosen due to existing technological capabilities and the goal of strengthening high value-added food production in Lithuania.
According to CEO Marius Klimas, this is only the beginning – more challenges and development opportunities lie ahead, which are planned to be achieved through joint team efforts. “I would like to thank all VG Marine Foods employees, the OF team, and VG Group specialists for their support. More challenges are coming soon, which we will only be able to overcome together and achieve the desired results,” says Marius Klimas, CEO of VG Marine Foods.