Irizabal S.A.

Cantabrian Sea Fish Distribution

Irizabal S.A. is an oily-fish distributor based in Getaria, Gipuzkoa, in the Basque Country. Founded in 1984, the company buys fish from local fishers and supplies wholesalers and food-service businesses in the Basque Country and abroad.

Products

Irizabal focuses primarily on oily fish from the Cantabrian Sea. Its main species include:

• Berdela (mackerel)
• Antxua (anchovy)
• Hegaluzea (albacore)

The company also sells makaela (chub mackerel), hegalaburra (Atlantic bluefin tuna), txitxarroa (horse mackerel), and sardines.

Operations and Quality

Basque fishers catch the fish using traditional methods and place it on ice immediately to preserve quality. Once it reaches port, the catch is prepared at Irizabal’s Getaria facility and distributed using the company’s own trucks. Irizabal works with Sorymar, a freezing plant three kilometers away, to maintain the cold chain. The company holds MSC and ISSF certifications for the sustainability of its products.

History

Mariano Larrazabal Alkorta founded the company in 1984. He began working as a txalupa-mutil, or rowing-boat assistant, at age 11 and later entered the fish-transport business. Under his leadership, Irizabal established fresh-fish buying and sales routes in markets including Greece, Turkey, and France.