Sardines
Illustrated Coastal scene inspired by Cornwall, near Penzance.
The Pilchard Works
Penzance, Cornwall, United Kingdom
The Pilchard Works is a Cornish brand dating to 1905 whose Cornish-caught Sardina pilchardus are canned abroad at an unnamed historic cannery in Douarnenez, Brittany, France.
✦ Artisan & small-batch
Cornish sardines hand-sorted, flash-fried and packed at Douarnenez; owner Nick Howell (bought the business in 1982).
At a glance
| Country | United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Region | Cornwall |
| City | Penzance |
| Founded | 1905 |
| Company | Canned in Douarnenez, Brittany (facility not explicitly named) |
| Species | Sardina pilchardus (European pilchard) — named on the label |
Notable facts
- The business dates to 1905 as a Cornish salted-pilchard exporter and was bought by Nick Howell in 1982.
- Salted-pilchard production ended in 2005, after which the canned range was developed.
- Canned abroad: Cornish Sardina pilchardus is sent to Douarnenez, Brittany, France, where it is hand-sorted, flash-fried and packed at a cannery said to date to 1853.
- The fishery is MSC-certified; the source does not name the Douarnenez cannery, so the facility is unconfirmed.
Products
Cornish sardines
Catch area: FAO 27 (Celtic Sea / SW England)
Cornish-caught, hand-sorted, flash-fried and canned in Douarnenez, Brittany.
Where to buy
Compiled from public reporting and the brand's own materials.
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