The Faroe Island Salmon Success

By Guide to Faroe Islands Verified Expert

Where can you taste the delicious Faroe Island salmon? Which companies operate in the salmon business in the island group? How important is salmon for the local economy? Continue reading and get these answers and more!

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Beloved worldwide for its second to none quality, salmon from the Faroe Islands offers a fresh and unbelievable taste experience. Located in the heart of the wild North Atlantic Ocean, the Faroe Islands are a proud sea food nation with a centuries-old seafaring tradition.

Salmon swim in these waters and are raised in pens in the pristine fjords surrounding the islands. Here is what you need to know.

You have probably already heard Faroe Island salmon mentioned on a cooking show or seen it recommended in great recipes. What makes salmon from the Faroe Islands so special is its purity.

Have a bite and you will taste the natural environment in the delicious and sustainable end product. The texture is soft, buttery. In this article, you will get to know everything about the salmon in the Faroe Islands, where you can taste it when visiting the archipelago, which companies operate, and how important salmon is for the local economy.

Salmon Farming in the Faroe Islands

Salmon pounds in the Faroe ISlands — *Salmon pounds in the Faroe Islands. These are located next to Tindhólmur islet near Vágar Island.*

Salmon farming is the number one most important business in the Faroe Islands, providing jobs for many locals and contributing significantly to the economy. Salmon farming in the Faroe Islands started in the 1960s, and today it is the country’s leading export product.

The Faroe Islands have ideal conditions for salmon farming, including cold, clean, and oxygen-rich seawater. This allows the salmon to grow healthy and strong.

Faroe Island salmon harvesting — *Farmer harvesting Faroe Island salmon.*

The salmon farming industry in the Faroe Islands is heavily regulated in order to ensure that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. The local authorities have implemented strict regulations on feed, medicine, and sea lice treatment to minimise the impact of salmon farming on the environment.

There is no use of antibiotics and hormones in any part of the farming process in the Faroe Islands. The industry has also developed a certification scheme that ensures the highest standards of animal welfare, traceability, and sustainability.

Faroe Islands Salmon Companies

There are three companies operating in the Faroe Islands that produce high-quality salmon. These companies are Bakkafrost, Hiddenfjord, and MOWI.

The two first companies have its origines in the Faroe Islands. MOWI is the smallest of the three companies locally and originates from Norway.

Bakkafrost

Bakkafrost is the largest salmon farming company in the Faroe Islands and has been operating since 1968. The company is headquartered in Glyvra on the east coast of Eysturoy Island.

The local Bakkafrost has its own hatcheries, smolt production sites, and processing plants. This ensures complete control over the production process.

Hiddenfjord

Hiddenfjord is another salmon farming company in the Faroe Islands that produces high-quality salmon. The family company run by the Gregersens dates back to the late 1920s. Salmon production started in the 1980s.

They emphasise producing premium salmon with a low environmental impact. Hiddenfjord’s headquarter is located in Sørvágur on Vágar Island.

MOWI

Mowi is a global company that also operates in the Faroe Islands. The company has been operating in the Faroe Islands for many years.

MOWI has several farms around the islands. The company originates from Norway and produces a wide range of seafood products, including whole harvested salmon.

Where to Taste the Delicious Salmon

Sushi in Tórshavn — *The sushi bar Etika in Tórshavn is a good place to taste salmon from the Faroe Islands.*

If you are a salmon lover, you are going to love to visit the Faroe Islands. There are several places where you can taste the delicious salmon, including restaurants, cafes, and grocery stores.

One of the best places to taste Faroese salmon is in the capital city of Tórshavn, which has a wide range of restaurants that serve fresh, locally sourced seafood. A popular restaurant in Tórshavn is Etika Sushi Bar. The chefs focus on using local ingredients to create unique dishes. The menu changes regularly, but you can always expect to find salmon on the menu.

Salmon on rye bread. — *Salmon served on local rye bread. Try it at the restaurant Fiskastykkið on Vágar Island.*

Another popular restaurant is Fiskastykkið, which has a casual atmosphere. Located next to the pure ocean in Sandavágur on Vágar Island, Fiskastykkið serves delicious seafood dishes, including Faroe Islands salmon.

If you prefer a more informal setting, you can visit the fish market in SMS. Thai is the shopping centre located in the capital Tórshavn. The market offers a wide range of seafood products, including fresh salmon. You can buy the salmon to cook at home or try the smoked edition.

Importance of salmon for the local economy

Salmon fillet of the Faroe Islands — *Export of salmon products is the single most important economic factor in the Faroe Islands.*

The clean, mild waters and strong currents of the fjords and straits around the Faroe Islands are ideal for salmon farming.

A highly skilled farming technique has developed over the years making aquaculture the most important industry in the island group. Salmon farmers combine an ideal natural environment with a strong commitment to sustainability and quality.

Faroe Islands mountain — *Mountains on Eysturoy Island.*

Fish farmed in the Faroe Islands are renowned throughout the world. Today. Atlantic salmon from the Faroe Islands is exported to all six continents.

Originally, sea trout were farmed in the Faroe Islands, but in the 1980’s the switch was to Atlantic salmon. Today, the aquaculture industry in the Faroes almost exclusively breeds and exports Atlantic salmon.

Major players in the international market

Salmon pond in the Faroe Islands — *Faroe Island salmon is raised in the wild nature surrounding the islands*

In recent years, Faroese fish farmers have become major players in the international market. Aquaculture is now an important part of the Faroese economy.

Farmed fish accounts for about half of the total value of the Faroe Islands’ exports. The aquaculture industry provides employment to even the smallest communities across the islands.

Sea gorge in Faroe Islands — *The village Gjógv. Even people in the smallest of villages can work in the salmon industry thanks to a quality road network.*

Strict veterinary regulatory requirements have been applied. Together with measures to minimise the impact of farming on the marine environment, these are key factors for the success of fish farming in the Faroe Islands.

Faroese aquaculture is well integrated both horizontally and vertically. There are three companies producing and exporting farmed salmon in the Faroe Islands. Thanks to this vertical integration, the grower has full control over the quality of the product from the roe to the final product.

Efficient logistics

Mountain road in the Faroe Islands — *The quality road network in the Faroe Islands. Photo by @guille.diazb on Instagram.*

In order to maintain the welfare and freshness of the fish, the transport time from the hatchery to the hatchery is very short. The islands in the archipelago are well connected. So the transit times are extremely short, guaranteeing optimum freshness and quality.

Although located in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, the country’s infrastructure is impressive. You can drive on most islands and several of them are connected with underwater tunnels, bridges and embankments.

*The roundabout in the Eysturoyartunnilin tunnel. Underwater tunnels connect several islands in the archipelago together.*

The Faroe Islands are just a few hours’ flight from mainland Europe. Logistical management is very efficient, with regular cargo connections and flights to all neighbouring countries. This means that fresh Atlantic salmon can reach US and Asian markets within 24 hours of harvest.

Want to visit the islands where salmon in the Faroe Islands are raised? Check out flights to the Faroe Islands and take the next step.