Sardines
Illustrated Coastal scene inspired by Zarzis, near Tunis.
El Manar
Tunis, Zarzis, Tunisia
Tunisian canner founded in 1983 with a factory near the port of Zarzis, widely described as the reference brand for canned tuna and sardines in Tunisia and distributed in France by Nautilus Food.
At a glance
| Country | Tunisia |
|---|---|
| Region | Zarzis |
| City | Tunis |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Company | private canner and private-label producer |
| Price | $ — budget |
| Species | Sardina pilchardus (sardine) — the EU-reserved name for a true sardine |
Notable facts
- Founded in 1983 (double-sourced: Nautilus Food and cannedfood.it); factory near the port of Zarzis, offices in Tunis.
- Distributed in France by the French group Nautilus Food (Bouchemaine); Nautilus Food is a distributor, not a Tunisian brand.
- Reported to hold roughly 60% of the Tunisian canned-fish market (single trade source — treat as approximate).
- Runs a substantial private-label business alongside the El Manar, Oscar and Raïs labels.
- A February 2026 recall of one sardine lot (histamine) in Algeria and France — reported by TSA — confirms the brand's export footprint.
- Labels say "sardines méditerranéennes" with no Latin name. EU-market cans are legally Sardina pilchardus; domestic-market cans could also be Sardinella aurita.
Products
Sardines with harissa (125 g)
harissa (label: 68% Mediterranean sardines, 32% house harissa sauce) Sardina pilchardus
Sardines in tomato sauce (125 g)
tomato Sardina pilchardus
Sardines in oil (125 g / 85 g drained formats)
vegetable or olive oil Sardina pilchardus
Sources
Compiled from public reporting and the brand's own materials.
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