Our History

Third generation responsibility

Every story has its beginning. Ours began in 1989, when the Zhelezchevi family set out to create a meaningful company, starting with a small family restaurant, big dreams, and an even bigger passion for delicious food.

Over the last three decades, we’ve grown from a small family business into a leader in canned fish production, recognized not only in Bulgaria but around the world. Every can that leaves our factory tells the story of three generations of hard work, dedication, and responsibility.

Our responsibility starts with carefully selecting raw materials and continues until our fish reaches your table. Over the years, we’ve not only maintained a strong sense of responsibility to the process, but we’ve developed it. Today, we can trace each fish’s journey – from the ships that sail the seas to the moment the product arrives in your hands. Whether you enjoy it on a mountaintop, at the beach, or in the comfort of your home, our cans are ready to go with you, wherever you are.

For three decades, we have believed in the principle of having principles and living up to them.
That is why we:

1993 The first vegetable canning plant is opened.
1996 The first fish canning plant is opened.
2005 A new fish canning plant is built.
2006 Refrigerated warehouses with a capacity of 500Mt are put into operation.
2008 Production of canned tuna starts.
2010 Production starts in a new workshop.
2011 Beginning of export activity and entering the European market.
2015"Excellent SME" certificate of excellence from Coface Bulgaria.
2016 Finalist in Seafood Expo Global for the company with the most innovative product "Canned food with transparent lid".
2017 Best packaging for 2017 introduction of innovative new "Can with transparent lid".
2018 New tuna factory is put into operation
Deroni Ltd. is a national distributor for Diavena Ltd. products.
2019 A new tuna factory is put into operation.
2020 Diavena received MSC certification, which is one of the most important international certificates certifying sustainable fishing.
2021 A new WMS system is integrated and the warehouse base is doubled.
A new warehouse is built to store products
2022 Successfully passed world-leading 2-Pillar SMETA version 6.1 social audit.
Diavena introduces a decarbonization strategy to increase product sustainability and reduce climate impact
A solar park is built, which generates 60% of the energy needed for the production processes
2023 A new wastewater treatment plant is built for sustainable development and environmental protection

Take full responsibility

For our production, our relationships with our partners, and our impact on the environment. At the end of each day, our goal is to know that we have given our best. We are increasingly focusing our efforts on reducing our environmental impact. In fact, we produce 60% of the energy we use through photovoltaic panels.

Take an individual approach to everyone we work with

We accommodate our partner's preferences by customizing our product offerings to their needs. Diavena combines innovation with years of experience to offer our clients many options to create new products. Our broad variety of raw materials, packaging, and recipes allows a wide choice of combinations for your perfect product.

Take pride in our family-owned company

This has defined us throughout all these years, and we have no intention of changing that. We believe in our capabilities and our journey so far proves it.

1989