Greek sea bass and sea bream producer Nireus is back to its former strength, after years of financial trouble -- and its CEO Antonis Chachlakis is looking with cautious optimism into the future.

But the focus won't be on growing volumes and capturing new markets, but on new product development, further cost reductions, and customers and end consumers in existing markets, he told IntraFish.

Last year was the "best year" in the group's history, he said. Sales increased to close to €200 million ($213 million), with "very good" operating earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of more than €27 million ($28.8