Species: Pilchard - Sardinops sagax

Origin: South Africa, Namibia, South and Central America and Japan.

Pilchards are small pelagic fish, shoaling members of the Sardinops genus, which filter feed on plankton in typically the nutrient rich up-welling zones of cold currents. They become sexually mature at the end of their second year and importantly are only suitably sized for canning once mature. They are a staple food for other carnivorous marine life in the food chain, such as tuna, sea birds, game fish, sharks and dolphins.

Lucky Star Canned Pilchards has been a favourite South African brand for nearly 50 years. With the dominant market share in the South African market, Lucky Star Canned Pilchards are the only canned Pilchards endorsed by the Heart Foundation with regards to heart friendly salt, fat and Omega-3 fatty acid levels. Lucky Star Pilchards are universally available in most regions of Southern Africa.