Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Alberto is one of three brothers running San Fernando today. The story of this company began in 1948, when Mr Soichi July Ikeda decided to install a farm of chickens and ducks in Surquillo. And this is where Alberto's father taught his children everything about the poultry business.

In 1964 the Ikeda family decided to concentrate solely on raising chicken for a simple reason: "we started to import superior breeds, whose meat was of better quality," explained Alberto Ikeda. In 1970 the family had become the main supplier of chicken in the wholesale markets in Lima.

Some time later, the tradition of eating turkey at Christmas became more popular and the Ikeda family decided to start breeding this bird too. "Currently we sell over two million turkeys a year," comments Alberto Ikeda. Evidently, 50% of this production is sold through the Christmas campaign.

AGILE AS FEATHERS

In the 80's, the owners of San Fernando decided to franchise the brand, and extended their operations to 40 stores in Lima. "However, this was no longer profitable when big supermarkets became popular." Instead of competing with them, San Fernando decided to keep 5 stores and focused on becoming the leading supplier of chicken and turkey for supermarkets.

In the 90s, the family also began to raise chicken in order to sell eggs, and installed a large factory in Chorrillos to produce sausages of pigs, turkeys and chicken.

In different parts of the coast, the Ikeda family currently has seven farms and four factories of processed food for birds. This enables them to produce 1,500 tons of cured meat and 12 million chickens a month. Part of this produce is sold in famous restaurants. "When you go to Pardo's Chicken, you should know that you are eating chicken that lived on our farm," says Alberto Ikeda.

Even though San Fernando exports chicken and turkey to Ecuador, Venezuela, Bolivia, Columbia and Japan, Alberto Ikeda assures that the firm's challenge today is to conquer other international markets.

Even without wings, the Ikeda siblings will surely continue to keep their business aloft.

Add to del.icio.us | |

Now you know, next time you go to a chicken restaurant don't forget to order polla a la brasa, there is always something new to hear which you didn't know before at all. Buen Provecho!!

I want to start a business in raising turkeys. PLiz tell me how.