During 1992 spotting a gap in the international whitefish market, Harkishan Bhagat founds Vicfish Mwanza and begins exporting frozen Nile Perch from Lake Victoria to Europe. With only 50 employees, Vicfish Mwanza catches, processes, packages and exports 249 tonnes of Nile Perch a year, setting new standards for the East African fishing industry.
1996: Following Tanzania’s harmonisation with European fish processing plants, Vicfish Mwanza begins exporting chilled – rather than frozen – Nile Perch. Production increases more than tenfold, with over 2,825 tonnes of Nile Perch exported annually.
1997: Vicfish Mwanza becomes HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) certified. HACCP certification means Vicfish Mwanza takes a rigorous systematic approach to food safety and risk management.
2007: Vicfish Mwanza and Vicfish Bukoba become BRC (British Retail Consortium) certified. BRC certification is formal recognition that both companies meet international quality, safety and operational criteria and fulfil their legal obligations to consumers.
2008: Vicfish Mwanza and Vicfish Bukoba achieve ISO-22000-2005 certification for food safety management.
2009: Vicfish Bukoba becomes the first company in the world to achieve Naturland Wildfish certification and meet Naturland standards for Sustainable Capture Fishery.
In the same year, Hunasa is founded and begins to import and sell fishing equipment, outboard engines and spare engine parts.
2013: Vicfish Mwanza becomes Naturland certified. Vicfish Mwanza and Vicfish Bukoba become HALAL certified, meeting production criteria for food consumption under Islamic law.