Products & Markets

Kaufland becomes first German retailer to introduce sustainable and highly nutritious algal-fed salmon

German retailer Kaufland has become the first supermarket chain in Germany to introduce salmon which in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

The salmon, which will be available under Kaufland’s own brand ‘K-Blue Bay’ from 27 February 2020, has been fed on an innovative diet containing natural marine algal oil by Veramaris.

Gaëlle Husser is Global Business Development Director at Veramaris, she said: “Kaufland’s decision to introduce salmon fed on Veramaris’ algal oil comes quickly after similar moves by a number of other European supermarkets, including Supermarché Match in France, which has introduced salmon and just recently also trout raised on a diet including Veramaris.” Veramaris has been fundamental in initiating the dialogue with all partners along the value chain.

“In France, Match saw a 12% growth in its salmon category following the introduction of the sustainable salmon, a clear indication that consumers are demanding fish that is nutritionally superior and sustainably raised”, Husser continues.

Robert Pudelko, CSR Purchasing at Kaufland Germany said: “Our common goal with Veramaris is to reduce the amount of wild fish used in feed to less than one kilogram for the production of one kilogram of salmon.”

Veramaris has developed a unique natural marine algal oil for farmed fish diets - the only product in the world of its kind - which can increase the levels of both of the two essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA in fish, while at the same time reducing the Forage Fish Dependency Ratio (FDDR).

Consumers in Germany will be able to buy the sustainable ‘K-Blue Bay’ salmon in Kaufland stores from 27 February 2020.

Aquaculture: main supplier of edible fish
Over half of the fish for human consumption already comes from aquaculture. Every year, 16 million tons of wild fish are caught to produce fish meal and fish oil for aquaculture feed. Until now, fish oil has been the sole source of the omega-3 fatty acids that are essential for fish health, growth, coloration and texture.

Algal salmon: high omega-3 content
For the consumer, the algal-fed salmon comes with numerous health benefits. Kaufland is offering a salmon that is rich in EPA and DHA omega-3. These two marine omega-3 fatty acids have a confirmed positive effect on brain and heart function as well as our eyesight. As less than ten percent of the world's population is sufficiently supplied with omega-3, algae salmon can make a significant contribution to human health. The company already works with numerous retailers throughout Europe and the US.

Kaufland: Longstanding commitment to fish
Kaufland has been active in the field of sustainable fish for over ten years. And this commitment is rewarded in many ways: Measures such as the listing of highly endangered fish species, a 100 percent certified private label assortment (TKK and delicatessen chilled) or the commitment to improving animal welfare standards in aquaculture have already been rated "excellent" and awarded several times by Greenpeace and WWF.

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