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Norwegian Good! 7 out of 10 consumers believe country of origin is important when it comes to seafood.
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Chippy Chat & Fast Food Magazine • March 2020
he world has woken up when it comes to making choices that are good for our planet and our health. At the Norwegian-UK Seafood Summit in January, we heard that consumers are increasingly making value-based choices – they want to eat food that’s good for them, their families, the planet – food that they feel good about eating. Quality and price is important, as is taste, convenience and healthy eating. Sustainability – which is closely linked to origin – increasingly important too, especially for the younger generations. Indeed, new figures show that 7 out of 10 consumers think that country of origin is important when buying their seafood. So, be vigilant to source sustainable seafood for your menus and take pride in telling your customers all about – they are hungry to know more. Help your customers make sustainable choices with Seafood from Norway. The British craving for fish & chips has crowned the UK the world’s largest market for whitefish – a healthy 77,000 tonnes of cod and haddock are processed for the nations favourite dish in one year alone. Whilst the North Sea cod stock lost its MSC certification in September 2019, Norwegian cod comes from a separate stock, one often hailed the most sustainable cod stock in the world. The North East Arctic cod – the stock from which close to 100 percent of all exported Norwegian cod originates – is certified by the MSC and has a Norwegian quota of more than 300,000 tonnes. - Thankfully, we have stringent quota systems based on world class research and stock calculations, which protects our vital ecosystems so we can continue to sustainably harvest and keep these delicious whitefish on the nation’s menus, says Hans Frode Kielland Asmyhr, UK Director of the Norwegian Seafood Council. Implementing strict quotas – recommended by the International Council for the Exploration of the Sea – enables Norwegians to maintain healthy fish stocks, ensuring that they have never overfished – and never will. As a result, Norway is able to supply the UK with 100 tonnes of seafood a year – that is a whopping third of the UK’s entire seafood consumption. The Norwegian fishing industry is not only sustainable but is a crucial contributor to the UK’s fish and chips tradition for the generations to come. Be proud to cite and shout about “Norwegian” seafood on your menu Whether you choose seafood from Norway for its superior quality, green credentials or simply the story, you’ll be sourcing ingredients from a country where they take great pride in their fishing methods and rich heritage. Where fishing is not just an industry but a way of life, so be proud to cite “Norwegian” produce on your fish and chip menu. For further information on quality, legislation and sustainability please visit www.seafoodfromnorway.co.uk Chippy Chat & Fast Food Magazine • March 2020
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