Millions of euros flowed to Russia. The largest salmon producers bow to the wave of criticism
2026-05-02 10:00
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2026-05-02 10:00
The largest Norwegian salmon producers, Mowi and SalMar, announced the withdrawal of fish feed ingredients imported from Russia. The decision was made after sharp criticism from the Ukrainian ambassador in Oslo, Oleksiy Havrysh, who said that this trade could support the Russian war machine.
Mowi announced that it has stopped purchasing Russian components and will not receive further deliveries after June 2026. In turn, SalMar said in a statement that its feed supplier Skretting will withdraw Russian raw materials no later than the second quarter of this year.
The Norwegian government, despite broad compliance with EU sanctions against Moscow, from 2022 allowed salmon farmers to import feed and feed components from existing Russian suppliers. Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Norwegian companies have purchased Russian fish feed or raw materials for its production for approximately EUR 580 million.
In a comment for Norway's largest online business newspaper E24, the Ukrainian ambassador warned that every krone paid to Russia “risks contributing to the financing of the country's ability to continue a war” that also results in civilian casualties. He called on Norwegian companies to cut commercial ties with Russian suppliers.
The case also sparked reaction from traders. Norwegian chains last week said they were unaware that the salmon they sold, from Mowi and SalMar, was raised using feed containing Russian ingredients. Norway's third-largest retailer Coop also said it was incorrectly informed by manufacturers about their sub-suppliers.
Mowi is the largest producer of farmed salmon in the world and achieved revenues of approximately EUR 5.6 billion in 2025. SalMar, one of the Norwegian industry leaders, recorded revenues of approximately EUR 2.6 billion. Norwegian salmon and trout exports were worth over EUR 10 billion last year, second only to the oil and gas sector.
From Oslo Mieszko Czarnecki (PAP)
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