Sardines
Ramírez
Ramírez, founded 1853, is widely cited as the oldest fish cannery still operating in the world — a heritage house with a broad everyday sardine line across some 55 product references.
Family-owned for five generations; the business continues under the founding family.
At a glance
| Country | Portugal |
|---|---|
| Region | Matosinhos |
| Founded | 1853 Founded by Sebastian Ramirez in Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve; the company's main factory is now in Lavra, Matosinhos. |
| Company | Family-owned (oldest active fish cannery in Portugal) |
| Price | $$ — mid-range |
| Species | Sardina pilchardus (European pilchard) — the EU-reserved name for a true sardine |
Notable facts
- Founded 1853 in Vila Real de Santo António, Algarve; among the oldest fish canneries in the world still operating.
- Widely cited in press as 'the world's oldest fish cannery still in operation' — this is a widely-repeated but ultimately self-originated/press-repeated superlative, not an independently adjudicated title.
- Pioneered autoclave sterilization in Portugal (~1890) and the country's first ring-pull sardine can (1960s-70s).
- Opened a new, modernized factory branded 'Ramirez 1853' in 2015.
- Produces about 55 product references across roughly 14 international sub-brands (including Cocagne, The Queen of the Coast, La Rose, Al Fare, Renommée), spanning sardines, tuna, mackerel, cod, squid, octopus, mussels and ready meals.
- No dedicated press/media kit page was found on ramirez.pt.
Origin
Sebastian Ramirez founded S. Ramirez in 1853 in Vila Real de Santo António, on Portugal's Algarve coast, making it one of the oldest fish canneries in the world and widely cited — including by the company itself — as the oldest still in continuous operation. The business stayed in family hands for five generations, and continues under the family after the founder's great-grandson died in 2022. Its main factory today sits in Lavra, Matosinhos, in a modernized plant branded "Ramirez 1853" that opened in 2015.
Ramirez's sardine range runs from plain olive oil and natural brine through vegetable oil, tomato sauce, organic, and limited-edition extra virgin olive oil tins, forming part of a broader catalog of some 55 product references sold under roughly 14 international sub-brand names.
Products
Portuguese Sardines in Olive Oil
Sardines in Natural Brine
Portuguese Sardines in Vegetable Oil
Sardine Fillets in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Portuguese Sardines in Tomato Sauce
Organic Sardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Organic-certified line.
Where to buySardines in Extra Virgin Olive Oil — Limited Edition
Limited-edition run.
Where to buy
Compiled from public reporting and the brand's own materials.
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