Norwegian salmon ranked as most sustainable protein production four years in a row

For the fourth year running, the Coller FAIRR index of the world’s most sustainable protein producers has ranked Norwegian aquaculture companies as best in class. Of the seven companies ranked as “low risk” for various parameters linked to sustainability, three are Norwegian aquaculture companies.

On the list of the 60 largest, publicly listed protein producers globally, Mowi, the world’s largest salmon farmer, continued to hold on to the top spot, with Grieg Seafood bagging second place and Lerøy Seafood on their heels in fourth place.

“Norwegian aquaculture continues to lead the way for protein producers across the world, and it is a great source of pride for the industry to see that their hard work is being recognized,” says Renate Larsen, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Council.

Sustainability is a core value for Norwegian seafood industry

She believes it is no coincidence Norwegian salmon farming continues to outperform other protein production in the global ranking.

“Being responsible, transparent and innovative is part of the Norwegian seafood industry’s core values. As the largest producer of the world’s favourite seafood – the salmon – we have important responsibilities we take very seriously.”

“A responsibility not only towards consumers who enjoy our delicious and healthy premium quality fish, but also to the communities and the environment in which the companies operate,” Larsen adds.

The Coller FAIRR index is an annual assessment of global protein producers on how they perform according to parameters such as greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation and biodiversity, water use and scarcity, waste and pollution, antibiotics, animal welfare, working conditions, food safety, governance and sustainable proteins.

Although Norwegian aquaculture companies perform well across the board, they are particularly commended in the areas of antibiotics use and working conditions.

In the aquaculture companies themselves, the index ranking was also welcomed:

Catarina Martins, Chief Sustainability Officer of Mowi, said: “I am delighted to see Mowi’s sustainability strategy and achievements being recognized in this global rating. For three years in a row, Mowi is considered the most sustainable animal protein producer in the world. This achievement is the result of the hard work and passion for what we do every day: producing food that is good for the people and the planet.”

Andreas Kvame, CEO of Grieg Seafood ASA, said: “During the next decades, the global food system must be transformed. We know that responsible aquaculture and blue foods has the potential to be a part of the solution. In Grieg Seafood, we work hard to reduce our impact and improve fish welfare. I am pleased that the efforts of my fantastic colleagues across the company has given us a top placement in the FAIRR Index this year. Going forward, we will continue on our journey of improvement, utilizing innovation, new technologies and new knowledge.”

Henning Beltestad, CEO of Lerøy Seafood Group, said: “We work continuously and targeted towards improving sustainability across our value chain. It is good to see our efforts in this area being noticed and that Lerøy as a company and the industry once again ranks among the best in this type of index.”

Geir Ove Ystmark, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Federation industry organisation, said: “This index shows that Norwegian seafood industry are at the forefront when it comes to our work with sustainability.”

See the index here: https://www.fairr.org/index/