Our Story - Chicken breeding and production | Quality poultry | Mauritius

Our Story

Formerly known as Food and Allied Industries Ltd, Avipro Co. Ltd is Eclosia Group’s very first company to come into being in 1966. A pioneer in poultry production in Mauritius conforming to extremely strict biosecurity standards, Avipro has always delivered on its promise of offering products that are both safe and tasty.

2020

A NEW TRAY INTRODUCED AT AVIPRO

Respectful of its sustainable development commitments and concerned about the environment, Avipro is launching its new 100% compostable tray for its fresh chicken products under the Chantecler brand. This tray is made mainly from bagasse and water, so it can be composted at home.Click here to view

2019

CHANTECLER FREE-RANGE CHICKEN IS UNDOUBTEDLY EXTRA BON!

Avipro introduces a new innovation to its range: free-range Chantecler chicken, which meets the market’s needs for differentiated products. The same strict quality standards apply to Chantecler’s free-range chicken, which distinguishes itself by being pasture-raised, its hardy breed and its unique flavour. Free-range Chantecler chicken is suitable for various types of cooking.Click here to view

2017

QUALITÉ, QUALITÉ, QUALITÉ

Qualité Volaille was developed by Eclosia Group a few years ago to certify its expertise and know-how in food quality and safety along their poultry value chain, from farm to fork. After obtaining the AFNOR Certification, it becomes an official private label that guarantees quality. Its role: guarantee a high-quality product and perpetuate the Group’s know-how in the agricultural sector.Click here to view

2016

UPLIFTED AVISHOP

La Maison du Petit Aviculteur is renamed Avishop. Its refreshed identity and new location with additional space were designed to fulfil the needs of its clients. The shop is located in Kendra Shopping Mall in Saint-Pierre.

2011

WELCOME AVIPRO

Food & Allied Industries Ltd is renamed Avipro Co. Ltd. The company is well on its way to achieving growth: farms, hatcheries and automatic factories, state-of-the-art equipment, high-tech sanitary devices, increased production capacity...Click here to view

2000

CHANTEFRAIS IN EVERY CORNER OF THE ISLAND

Chantefrais embarks on its adventure in the early 2000s and opens its first outlet in Moka, which today remains the franchise’s signature store. The goal: to promote entrepreneurship through fresh chicken, in an environment that meets stringent hygiene norms and food quality standards. A network of franchises is set up across the island in a full-fledged partnership with Avipro.

1999

EASY PACK, EASY LIFE

A range of Individually Quick Frozen products is introduced, with only one goal in mind: make the consumer’s life easier! Easy Pack (1 kg) is a bag of individually-frozen portions. The advantage? You can have as many portions as you like without having to defrost the entire bag!

1995

SAFETY ABOVE ALL!

The processing plant becomes ISO 9002-certified. The computerisation of product lines, particularly the grading line, leads to the diversification of products: in addition to the classic chicken thighs, wings, drumsticks and breasts, it now offers cutlets, boneless breasts and fillets (fresh and frozen).

1985

A SHOP FOR SMALL FARMERS

After the opening of la Maison du Petit Aviculteur (MPA), breeding becomes a real opportunity for small farmers. Here, they can find it all: broilers and laying chicks, ranges of food, sanitary products, equipment, and above all, consulting services from professionals.

1980

JUMBO FARMS

Now faced with challenges in finding land to build his farms, Michel de Spéville begins negotiating with WEAL Group. Big innovative farms see the light of day in the region of Médine, a long way from inhabited areas, for more security. This concept is later tried out with three sugar companies: Savannah, Constance and Mon Loisir.

1978

STUDENTS AND NEIGHBOURS TO THE RESCUE

Mauritius is confronted with major industrial challenges. Like other industries, Avipro is not spared. But, resourceful as it is, it faces the issue of a labour strike head-on: it calls upon locals from the region and students on their summer vacation to help collect the eggs and distribute food!

1975

A NEW PROCESSING PLANT

During the inauguration of the Processing Plant in Phoenix, Michel de Spéville discusses Avipro’s growth and progress in front of an audience of guests, which includes the then-Prime Minister, Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam. The Processing Plant has the capacity to deliver 6,000 chickens per day.

1973

FROM GRANDPARENTS TO PARENTS

To address biosecurity risks, Avipro embarks on the local production of parent stock by importing grandparent stock chicks from the Shaver-Hubbard Group based in Canada.

1968

SOUPIR, OH MON SOUPIR

As he overlooks the magnificent landscape that would later harbour his farm, Michel de Spéville lets out a deep sigh—soupir in French. This is where Mon Soupir farm earned its name! Likewise, each one of the farms is given a meaningful name, such as Côte d’Or for Golden Coast, Concordia, which is Latin for Harmony, Beau Climat for Beautiful Climate…

1967

CHANTECLER’S PROMISE: LET’S GO!

Avipro’s very first production operations begin on a pilot farm christened “Chantecler”: 400 Chantecler chickens are launched on the market each week. Production is boosted by the importation of day-old chicks and the creation of a first breeding farm and hatchery in Bagatelle.

1966

100% MAURITIAN-RAISED CHICKEN FOR EVERY MAURITIAN FAMILY

Henry IV may have promised a chicken in every French peasant’s pot every Sunday, but Michel de Spéville took it a step further. To him, every Mauritian family deserved to have quality chicken on the table at least three times a week. A promise that leads him to create Food & Allied Industries Ltd.