Australia’s long–standing prawn giant A Raptis and Sons to shut down after 60 years

Australia’s largest wild–caught prawn and seafood business, A. Raptis & Sons Group, is acceptable to adjacent aft six decades of operation, with administrators confirming they person been unable to find a buyer.

The company, which began successful the 1950s from a small fish–and–chip store opened by Greek migrants Arthur and Anna Raptis, grew into 1 of the nation’s large seafood suppliers, operating crossed Queensland and South Australia.

According to the ABC, much than 200 jobs are expected to beryllium mislaid arsenic the concern winds down implicit the coming months. Administrators appointed successful March launched a merchantability process, but officials said there were nary viable offers that could sustain the institution arsenic a going concern.

The determination comes aft a operation of pressures including a weak banana prawn play and broader manufacture challenges, such arsenic marketplace oversupply and rising costs.

Raptis began arsenic a food and spot store successful Adelaide during the 1950s, founded by Anna and Arthur Raptis Senior. Photo: Raptis Seafood/Facebook

In the small Gulf of Carpentaria town of Karumba, where Raptis has been a fixture for astir 35 years, the announcement has been met with heavy concern. With a colonisation of astir 400 that tin swell during tourist peaks, section concern owners warn the closure will permission a important void successful the determination system and commercialized sportfishing support industry.

One section relation described the quality arsenic “tragic,” noting the ripple effect for different work providers — from substance suppliers to supermarkets — that supported the company’s fleet.

Administrators accidental that though some involvement was shown during the merchantability campaign, nary offers were sufficient to take the institution forward, prompting the determination to liquidate assets and cease operations.