SWEDEN— Finland-based food-and-beverage group Paulig, is lining up the expansion of a plant in Sweden to meet the growing demand for Tex-Mex food products.
Tex-Mex cuisine (from the words Texan and Mexican) is an American cuisine that derives from the culinary creations of the Tejano people of Texas, and is characterized by its heavy use of shredded cheese, beans, meat (particularly chicken, beef, and pork), peppers, and spices, in addition to flour tortillas.
Tortillas, which it ships from the Landskrona plant to Nordic and Baltic countries is the Santa Maria brand owner’s largest product category. The family-owned company has bought 22,000 square metres of land next to the plant, which covers 29,000 square metres. And has also already upped production at the site by 41% since 2018.
“The Tex-Mex category is continuously growing on the Nordic and European markets, and the purchase of the land in Landskrona will enable the expansion of our production to meet the increasing demand,” Thomas Panteli, senior vice president for supply chain and sourcing at Paulig, said. It plans to make a decision on the project by the end of the year.
The Tex-Mex category is continuously growing on the Nordic and European markets, and the purchase of the land in Landskrona will enable the expansion of our production to meet the increasing demand
In a country of just 10 million, a recent study for Nielsen analytics showed that the Swedish Tex Mex market was worth US$193 million in 2019, up from US$8.4 million in 1991. A 2020 nationwide survey found that tacos were still the most popular weekend meal choice in Sweden, although growing numbers of Swedes are swapping meat fillings for more climate-friendly vegetarian alternatives.
Paulig reported sales of EUR966m in 2021 (US$961.7m), up from EUR920m in 2020 with the Nordic region its largest market followed by continental Europe, Russia and the UK, according to its website. In January, the company, which has 11 factories in six countries, expanded its presence in American-style Tex Mex products with a deal for Liven in Spain.
In 2020, Paulig announced a new tortilla manufacturing plant for Tex-Mex products in Belgium to sit alongside its existing facilities in the city of Roeselare, West Flanders province.
Paulig is a family-owned, international enterprise in the food industry that is noted for its high-quality brands and services. It offers coffee, food concepts, spices, plant-based products and snacks under its various brands including Paulig, Santa Maria, Risenta and Poco Loco.
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