For more than a quarter of a century, ZS “Lucītis” has been an integral part of coastal fishing in Engure. The owner got his start in fishing, carrying on the traditions of his father and grandfather, who saw the sea as both a job and a way of life. Today, the farm has 27 years of experience in coastal fishing and processing fish, providing local residents and the Latvian market with high-quality fish and fish products.
The fishermen of "Lucītis" head out to the waters of the Gulf of Riga in the early morning hours — even before dawn — to bring in their catch, using two motorboats and traditional fishing gear. They fish no further than 4-5 km from the coast. The farm has its own fish processing workshop where smoked fish and marinades are produced. Smoking is done only with alder wood, following ancient coastal traditions. Hot smoking takes place in traditional smokehouses, and cold smoking takes place in specialized equipment. The farm complies with all quality standards and ensures that no chemical additives are used in its products.
One hundred percent of production is sold in Latvia. Customers come regularly to the Tukums market, and orders are delivered to local residents and consumers in nearby towns such as Riga, Sigulda, Jelgava, and Dobele. The wide range of products includes fresh fish (whitefish, trout, and smelt), smoked fish (pike, vimba, herring, and flounder), lightly salted fish, marinated fish, fish dishes, and purchased fish with additives.
Although the farm adheres strictly to traditional values, it actively seeks growth opportunities. Over the years, the farm has implemented LEADER projects involving the purchase of new fish processing and marketing equipment, as well as the installation of solar panels, which has strengthened the farm's sustainability. Support from the European Maritime, Fisheries, and Aquaculture Fund enabled the purchase of essential equipment that has significantly improved work quality and created new processes on the farm:
- purchased an ice generator and a cold storage room. This allows the fish to be frozen immediately after being caught without losing quality until processing or sale.
- an industrial drone has been purchased to help monitor nets, track seal behavior, and reduce seal damage more effectively.
- a hot air fryer has been purchased to expand the product range by frying herring carcasses, sprats, and smelt without oil.
- a small vehicle facilitates the movement of fishing gear and the delivery of alder wood, necessary for traditional smoking.
Lucītis prides itself on its well-maintained, aesthetically pleasing environment. For this, it has received awards in Engure Parish, including the award for the most beautifully lit farmstead. In 2023, it received the Lielā loma award as the Fish Processing Company of the Year.
These projects and investments confirm that Lucītis is a company that honors traditions while embracing modern technical solutions. The purchased equipment allows us to provide high-quality products to the people of Latvia and preserve the importance of coastal fishing in Engure for years to come.
