KATS, Netherlands, Dec. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Established in 2015, Kingfish Zeeland is a global leader in the production of Yellowtail Kingfish via a proprietary recirculating aquaculture system.
Yellowtail Kingfish is a well-known premium fish species, traditionally known from the Japanese and Italian cuisine. The species is supply constrained with negligible local supply across the lucrative US and European markets. Kingfish Zeeland is engaged in commercializing this species across its target territories – offering a locally produced, year-round, ultra-fresh, ASC/BAP certified Yellowtail Kingfish.
This strategic funding round is therefore another important growth pillar towards large scale production build-up across both territories, and is led by Creadev (investment holding of the Mulliez family) and Rabo Corporate Investments. Pareto Securities acted as financial advisors on this transaction.
Creadev Innovation's Alexandre van der Wees: "Creadev is pleased to accompany Kingfish Zeeland in its aim of growing high-quality sustainable seafood worldwide. This investment fits into Creadev Innovation's Food & Agriculture strategy of supporting on the long run cutting edge Food & Ag start-ups in the aquaculture, vegetal and food chain segments. Creadev is composed of a team of 25 investment professionals, operating from Paris, New York, Shanghai and Nairobi, and has invested over the past years more than one billion euro."
Having successfully achieved its key operating and market milestones in its proof of concept 'commercial scale pilot facility' in the Netherlands (producing approx. 500 ton/annum), the firm is now focusing on delivering expedited growth with the plan to exceed installed capacity of 20,000 tons/annum in the EU and US within 5 years.
Rabo Corporate Investments' Joost Vogels: "We are thrilled to invest in Kingfish Zeeland and to add this fast-growing innovator to Rabo Corporate Investments' growing portfolio of scale-up companies. As a sustainable aquaculture disruptor, with a first mover advantage in the on-land production of premium Yellowtail, Kingfish Zeeland seamlessly fits Rabo's mission 'growing a better world together.'"
With the closing of this transaction, the company secured funds to conclude its design & engineering of prototype grow-out modules for Yellowtail Kingfish, permit its European grow-out plans, permit its selected US site near the town of Jonesport in Maine, and almost double its current production capacity within 12 months. It is anticipated that the company will engage in further private and/or public capital raises in the mid-term to pursue its expedited growth initiatives.
"As we turn a page from a successful proof of concept to substantial commercial expansion, we are excited to add tier 1 professional investors with significant industry knowhow to our board. As we strive to maintain and advance a first mover position in the premium RAS farming sector, we are confident that reputable and capable partners such as Rabo and Creadev will be instrumental in supporting our growth, and reflect our achievements to date," said Kingfish Zeeland CEO Ohad Maiman.
SOURCE Kingfish Zeeland
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