Norway’s seafood industry demands US$470M boost for sustainable fish feed

NORWAY  – Norway’s seafood industry is calling on the government to allocate NOK 5 billion (US$470 million) in the 2026 state budget to speed up the production of sustainable fish feed and reduce reliance on imported ingredients.

The appeal was made last week by Robert H. Eriksson, CEO of the Norwegian Seafood Companies (Sjømatbedriftene), during the Aqua Nor trade fair, where the issue dominated industry discussions. 

Eriksson argued that dedicated funding would help the country meet its food security and sustainability goals more quickly.

“We fully share the government’s ambitions, but we are more impatient. More sustainable and Norwegian-produced feed raw materials are important for our food security. If we are to achieve the goals, we must speed up the process. From a security perspective, 2034 is too long, we must pick up the pace,” he said in a statement.

Industry targets versus government timelines

Sjømatbedriftene has set a goal for all fish feed to come from sustainable sources by 2030, with at least 25% of raw materials produced domestically. Currently, only 8% of feed inputs are Norwegian-sourced. The government has expressed similar ambitions but has set a longer timeline, extending to 2034.

According to Eriksson, a NOK 5 billion injection of risk capital would provide the necessary momentum. 

“We ask the government to earmark NOK 5 billion in the state budget for 2026 as risk capital. This will provide room for investments, industrialisation and incentives that can make more sustainable feed profitable, both to produce and use,” he said.

A working group led by Edgar Skjervold of NutriMar estimates that more than 300,000 tonnes of raw materials could be mobilised quickly to raise the share of Norwegian-produced feed ingredients.

Innovation projects under development

Industry representatives also highlighted new projects that could transform Norway’s feed supply. Among them is AQUASIRI’s planned facility in Åfjord, Trøndelag, which proposes producing protein-rich bristle worms as an alternative ingredient. 

The company estimates production could reach 100,000 tonnes of feed inputs while generating new local jobs. However, the project is still awaiting research permit approval from Norwegian authorities.

“This is about food security, preparedness and new jobs along the coast. We need politicians who dare to step on the gas pedal,” Eriksson stressed. He also questioned the country’s dependence on imported crops: “Why should we import soy from Brazil when we can produce sustainable alternatives in Norway?”

A push for coastal resilience

The seafood sector is one of Norway’s largest industries, and feed accounts for the bulk of production costs in aquaculture. 

By accelerating domestic feed development, industry leaders believe the country can reduce its exposure to global supply chain risks while strengthening rural economies.

Sjømatbedriftene has vowed to keep pressing politicians from across the spectrum ahead of the 2026 budget negotiations, insisting that the time for cautious timelines has passed.

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