Russia trading row hits major salmon companies

The situation is complex, with few companies actually involved with direct trading, but some admitting they have been using feed with Russian-sourced ingredients.

The Norwegian government, like most western countries, has banned most direct trade with Russia following that country’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the issue is a complicated one, with companies pointing out there are no official sanctions against purchasing feed for farmed salmon from Russia.

Many companies have nevertheless chosen to stop trading with Russia. Companies such as Mowi, Skretting, and now SalMar have been accused by the financial newspaper and website E.24.no of using feed with Russian ingredients.

Another online newspaper Nettavisen.no also said that some supermarkets were threatening to drop Mowi products unless it changed its position.

Some feed companies have argued that using Russian ingredients has been important to ensure to ensure a continued salmon supply.

However, Mowi and Skretting have now said they will phase out Russian ingredients over the next few months.

Earlier this month, Grieg stated that it does not use Russian-sourced feed in its supply chain.

Meanwhile, the Lerøy Seafood Company said it had cut out all Russian ingredients in its feed to distance itself from Russia’s aggression. Lerøy’s CEO Henning Beltestad told E24 that following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, company asked feed suppliers to phase out Russian raw materials.

“The feed Lerøy uses for our salmon and trout does not contain Russian raw materials,” he said.