February 25, 2020
German retailer Kaufland to sell salmon fed with Veramaris' unique natural marine algal oil
German retailer Kaufland has become the first retailer in Germany to introduce salmon fed on an innovative diet containing natural marine algal oil by Veramaris. The salmon is rich in omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA and will be available to consumers in Germany under Kaufland's own brand, "K-Blue Bay", starting on Thursday, February 27.
"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", said Gaëlle Husser, global business development director at Veramaris.
Netherlands-based Veramaris-a joint venture between DSM and Evonik for the production of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA from natural seaweed-has been initiating dialogues with all its partners along the value chain.
Ms. Husser said that in France, Supermarché Match saw a 12% growth in its salmon category following the introduction of the sustainable salmon, which she said is "a clear indication that consumers are demanding fish that is nutritionally superior and sustainably raised".
Andreas Schopper, head of Purchasing at Kaufland Germany, which has around 670 retail outlets throughout the country, said: "Our common goal with Veramaris is to reduce the amount of wild fish used in feed to less than one kilogramme for the production of one kilogramme of salmon."
Veramaris has developed a unique natural marine algal oil for farmed fish diets which, it says, is the only product of its kind in the world and 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).
Blue Bay Salmon