Norcod's fish gaining admirers as company ramps up harvest size

Despite having just one complete production period under its belt, Trondheim, Norway-based aquaculture venture Norcod said it has seen its fish already amass admirers in a number of important seafood markets.

The GlobalG.A.P.-certified producer, which was established in 2018, only started the second harvest period for its farmed cod in October, and it's scheduled to run through June 2023. But its parent company, Copenhagen, Denmark-based Sirena Group, said it is already seeing its marketing efforts for Norcod's paying off.

Sirena said it sold more than 4,000 metric tons (MT) of Norcod’s first production cycle, which ran from August 2021 to May 2022, in just four months, and that Norcod's goal is to harvest some 8,000 MT from its second cycle.

The products have received strong interest from leading distributors in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and the United States, and are proving particularly popular in Spanish retail, it said.

“[Norcod]’s quality, fresh-looking meat, and firm texture is cherished by retail and foodservices in Spain. The big splash that has already been made with Norcod is truly inspiring,” Alberto Alonso, the North Atlantic key account manager for seafood distributor Cabomar, said in a press release.

Sirena is also working on developing markets in Asia and the United Arab Emirates for Norcod's products.

Additionally, Sirena recently invited leading Scandinavian chefs to visit Norcod’s facilities, including Torsten Vildgaard, the head chef for 11 years at the world-famous Noma restaurant in Copenhagen.

“I think [Norcod] is insanely tasty, and for me very highly positioned in the umami index, especially when lightly salted overnight. The meat has a good firm structure, and we have only had good experiences with it, both prepared raw and cooked,” Vildgaard said. “Also, the liver was amazing when so fresh. I’ve never experienced anything like it. We’re already in the process of getting it on the menu in several of our restaurants. It makes extra good sense precisely because it is sustainable.”

Sirena is also working with local partners to introduce Norcod to top restaurants overseas, including in Japan. Seafood expert and distributor Tetsuya ‘Nick’ Sakagami, a holder of Japan’s coveted “Osakana Meister” (Fish Master) certification, said he found Norcod’s product “perfect" for sushi.

“To prove my point, I took it to fishmongers at the Toyosu Fish Market in Tokyo. Almost all of them agreed with me, despite the fact that cod hasn’t traditionally been used for sushi,” he said. “Norcod’s subtle sweetness and the clean finish will work with a wide spectrum of applications, including sashimi.”

In line with Norcod’s plan to scale up production annually to reduce costs and meet growing market demand, Sirena expects to sell in excess of 20,000 MT of product in 2024.

“Norcod’s superior quality warrants premium branding. Furthermore, Norcod is a great story of creating additional supply of an otherwise limited product, in a way that does not compromise neither quality nor the environment,” Sirena Head of Strategy Martin Buhl said.

According to a company updated post on the Oslo Euronext Growth market exchange, Norcod recently completed a project to implement shore power as the energy source for its Frosvika production facility in Meløy municipality, Nordland County. The producer worked with electricity company Meløy Energi, contractor Terje Halsan, and the local office of Bravida Norge on the project.. 

“Our ambition has always been to set the standard in responsible, industrial-scale farming of top-quality cod, through constant operational improvements that ensure sustainability and fish welfare. By installing wired onshore power, we are making a valuable contribution to reducing climate impact both locally and globally,” Norcod Chief Sustainability Officer Hilde R. Storhaug said. “Frosvika now stands as a low-emission facility that is, to my knowledge, best in class.”

Storhaug also said that the electric-powered service vessel Hilde S., which has been in use at Frosvika since April, also has contributed to a reduction in noise levels and CO2 emissions in the production cycle. 

“Switching to fossil-fuel-free operations carries a significant sustainability upside. We estimate we’ll save around 160,000 liters of diesel on an annual basis, which translates to a 420-ton reduction in CO2 emissions related to the feed barge and the equipment it supplies with energy,” she said.

Norcod intends to implement shore power at its next production site at Jamnungen in Frøya municipality in the near future.  

Norcod harvested 4,380 MT of cod in the second quarter of 2022, generating revenue close to NOK 200 million (USD 18.6 million, EUR 19.2 million).  

Photo courtesy of Norcod