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By Johnson Adebowale
Nigerians have been admonished to take advantage of Norwegian Salmon because of its nutritional and health benefits.
Mr. Trond Kostveit, Norwegian Seafood Council (NSC), Director for Africa, spoke at a seminar organised by Norwegian Ambassador H.E. Knut E. Lein, the Norwegian Seafood Council, and Fishcorp of Norway to introduce Norwegian Salmon products specially designed for restaurants, hotels, and supermarkets in the Nigerian market.
According to him, “the fish is farmed in the cold, clear waters, where it grows slowly and therefore gains a pure and fresh taste. It is a healthy protein that provides important nutrients such as Omega-3, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Vitamin A, iodine, and antioxidants in greater amounts than others. Food safety is assured during the entire process, from breeding to arriving fresh to your kitchen; it meets the highest standards and quality control.”
He said Norway is the second-largest exporter of seafood in the world but the largest exporter of Salmon fish, as the country exports to 147 countries.
“Norwegian seafood in Nigeria can be traced back to the 19th century and has become an important market for Norwegian exporters, particularly for dried fish. In terms of volumes, Nigeria is currently the largest market for dried seafood products like stockfish, stockfish heads, and other dried seafood products, and besides dried products, dried products have also grown considerably, and now with the introduction of salmon, we believe there’s a potential to grow the export,” he said.”
A representative of the Norwegian Embassy, Eivind Fjeldstad, a Business counselor, said that the Norwegian Government is very hopeful that the new forex regime by the Government of Nigeria will benefit the fish importation business. He, however, assured dealers of the best standards to which salmon products are farmed and the seemless delivery of the product they will enjoy.
Also speaking at the seminar, the council’s Fisheries Consultant, Mrs. Abiodun Cheke, said the NSC has played a big role in Nigeria.
“We, at the seafood council, ensure that our importers of the various products of seafood that come from Norway do it according to the law of the country, and we also ensure the producers in Norway know the laws and serve us wholesome and sustainable seafood products that they would eat in Nigeria.”
Dr. Puspa Salmon, CSS Director of Marketing, explains the process of ordering fresh whole salmon from Norway.
“For anyone looking forward to having a fresh whole salmon, it is fulfilled upon request, and the process of catching, packaging, and shipping to Lagos, takes six days
