Silvia Ruiz runs Conservas Catalina, the cannery founded by her father in 1999 in Santoña, Cantabria, together with her husband, Adolfo Belaustegui. The family business, which started with three employees and a small volume, has become a benchmark for quality, especially in anchovies, white tuna, pickled mussels, fresh anchovies, and small sardines. The brand has received awards such as Best Anchovy by the Cantabrian Anchovy Brotherhood (2014, 2015, and 2024) and Great Taste Awards for over a decade.
The company’s strategy is based on artisanal quality, using only the spring catch, innovation in recipes (such as anchovies with butter and coffee), and constant learning to improve. Conservas Catalina sells at El Corte Inglés, gourmet shops, hospitality establishments, and directly from its factory, currently employing 34 people.
Silvia emphasizes her close and family-oriented management, getting involved in all areas of the business and ensuring fair treatment of her staff. The expansion has been achieved step by step, prioritizing stability over quick margins. In 2025, revenue grew by 15%, reaching nearly €2 million, with an EBITDA of approximately €240,000.
Regarding the family legacy, her daughter Paula is following her own professional path, while Alejandro joined the project a year ago. Silvia values that the business remains a family project, with a strong personal and artisanal commitment, where dedication is constant and there is no strict separation between personal and professional life.
