The counselor of Food, María Jesús Susinos, has emphasized the relevance of combining "tradition and innovation" in the production of quality anchovy during the visit she made this Friday to the facilities of CODESA, a third-generation family canning company located in Laredo. There she was able to directly learn about the production processes, the investments made in recent years, and the main lines of action of the company.
During the tour, guided by José Luis Ortiz and Fidel Ortiz, managing director and deputy director, respectively, along with his partner, Julián Fernández, production director and master canner, the counselor highlighted the evolution of a brand that combines "tradition, innovation, and excellence," contributing to strengthening the prestige of the canning industry in Cantabria "both inside and outside our borders."
"The fishing processing industry is a strategic sector for Cantabria, generating employment, wealth, and population retention in our coastal municipalities," Susinos reiterated, for whom companies like CODESA "perfectly represent the capacity of our productive fabric to maintain its artisanal essence while decisively betting on innovation and quality."
In this regard, she recalled the support of the Government of Cantabria to the company through various lines of aid aimed at boosting its modernization and competitiveness. Thanks to this, between 2023 and 2025, CODESA has faced investments totaling 345,836.85 euros, which have a public subsidy of 136,653.07 euros.
Susinos also highlighted the company's commitment to research and the development of innovative proposals, among which stands out its well-known Pink Series, a limited edition made with pink Himalayan salt and organic extra virgin olive oil, the result of years of work in this area.
"The success of CODESA demonstrates that tradition and innovation are not incompatible concepts, but a formula for success that allows us to differentiate our products in the most demanding markets and continue positioning the Cantabria brand as a synonym for food quality," the counselor stated.
Likewise, it has highlighted the company's commitment to environmental sustainability and support for the local economy, reminding that all its products bear the controlled quality seal Anchoas de Cantabria, which certifies that the raw material comes from the Cantabrian Sea and that the entire production process is carried out entirely in the autonomous community.
Originating in 1976, CODESA is a third-generation family business historically linked to the Cantabrian canning sector and currently has around 95 employees.
Its managers, José Luis Ortiz, Fidel Ortiz, and Julián Fernández, have indicated that the company maintains a constant process of modernization. Among the most immediate initiatives is the launch of a new specific room for the production of gildas, which will allow for reinforcing traceability, increasing manufacturing capacity, and improving internal work organization.
The firm plans to continue promoting new investments aimed at strengthening its competitiveness and enriching the experience of professional visits to its facilities.
Throughout this year, CODESA has received various recognitions, including the award for Best Company in Cantabria granted by Onda Cero and the high score obtained in the renowned Italian gastronomic guide Gambero Rosso, which ranks its anchovies among the best valued in the Italian market.
During the visit to the Laredo plant, the councilor was also accompanied by the mayor of the municipality, Miguel González.