What is Bakkafrost?

P/F Bakkafrost operates as a vertically integrated Atlantic salmon producer with primary operations in the Faroe Islands and Scotland. The company controls the complete production chain from fishmeal and fish oil production through feed manufacturing, smolt production, sea-based farming, harvesting, processing, and value-added product manufacturing. Company materials indicate Bakkafrost operates as the largest salmon farming company in the Faroe Islands and represents the largest private employer in the islands.

The company produces fresh and frozen salmon products including whole salmon, fillets, portions, smoked products, and various cuts for retail and foodservice markets. According to industry sources, Bakkafrost documented production of approximately 90,600 metric tons in 2022 and 73,000 metric tons in 2023. The company's operational footprint spans the Faroe Islands and Scotland, with farming sites distributed across multiple fjords in the Faroe Islands and coastal locations throughout Scotland. Bakkafrost serves markets across Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia, and North America through its integrated sales and distribution network.

What distinguishes Bakkafrost from other salmon producers is the degree of vertical integration. The company produces its own fish feed through its subsidiary Havsbrún, operates multiple hatcheries for smolt production, manages its own fleet of farm service vessels, and processes salmon at company-owned facilities. This integration provides traceability from feed ingredients through finished products and allows operational control at each production stage.

Corporate Foundation

P/F Bakkafrost was established in 1968 by three brothers: Martin, Hans, and Roland Jacobsen. The company is registered as a public limited company (P/F) under Faroese law and is headquartered in Glyvrar on the island of Eysturoy in the Faroe Islands. The company was listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (Oslo Børs) on March 26, 2010, under the ticker symbol BAKKA. Following the listing, Bakkafrost broadened its shareholder base beyond local Faroese investors to include international investors from Europe and North America.

Regin Jacobsen has served as Chief Executive Officer since 1989. According to public filings, Regin Jacobsen and his mother Oddvør Jacobsen are significant shareholders, each holding approximately 7-8% of company shares. The company documented over 3,000 shareholders from 22 countries as of recent disclosures. The founders originally worked with herring processing starting in 1968, transitioning to salmon farming operations in 1979.

In 2010, Bakkafrost merged with another Faroese salmon farming company, Vestlax, which operated approximately 11,000 tons gutted weight capacity and a harvesting plant in Kollafjørður. This merger positioned Bakkafrost as the dominant salmon farming operator in the Faroe Islands. In 2011, the company acquired P/F Havsbrún, a fishmeal, fish oil, and fish feed producer, for approximately 1.1 billion Danish kroner, enabling complete vertical integration from feed production forward. In 2019, Bakkafrost completed the acquisition of The Scottish Salmon Company for approximately 3.76 billion Norwegian kroner, expanding operations into Scotland.

Production Infrastructure

Faroe Islands Operations

Bakkafrost's Faroe Islands operations are distributed across multiple islands with facilities concentrated in the central and northeastern regions. The company operates farming sites in multiple fjords throughout the archipelago, utilizing the natural oceanic conditions of the North Atlantic for sea-based salmon cultivation. The Faroe Islands' geographic position in the North Atlantic Current provides water temperatures that remain relatively stable year-round, typically ranging in conditions suitable for Atlantic salmon growth.

The company's main harvesting and value-added products (VAP) facility is located in Glyvrar on Eysturoy island. According to company disclosures, this facility was completed in 2017 and consolidated seven previous factories into one integrated complex. At the time of construction, it was documented as the largest building in the Faroe Islands. The Glyvrar facility houses harvesting operations, primary processing, secondary processing for value-added products, smoking operations, and company headquarters.

Bakkafrost operates multiple hatchery facilities for smolt production. The company's hatchery at Strond on Borðoy island was documented as the world's largest land-based smolt facility at the time of its completion. 

Construction began in late 2016, with initial production starting in 2018 and full operational capacity achieved by 2020. The facility consists of ten farming halls with various vessel configurations for different growth stages and documented capacity to produce approximately 14 million smolts annually. Additional hatcheries are located at Norðtoftir (expanded to 18,000 cubic meters capacity), Viðareiði, and Glyvradalur.

The company's fish feed production occurs at the Havsbrún facility in Fuglafjørður. This facility processes locally caught pelagic fish and offcuts into fishmeal and fish oil, which are then manufactured into salmon feed. The proximity to fishing grounds allows for fresh raw material processing with short transport times.

Scotland Operations

Following the 2019 acquisition, Bakkafrost operates in Scotland under the name Bakkafrost Scotland (formerly The Scottish Salmon Company). According to company materials, these operations include approximately 60 farming sites along Scotland's west coast and the Hebridean Islands, with documented employment of over 600 staff. The company operates farming locations throughout Scottish coastal waters and produces salmon branded with Scottish provenance.

The Scottish operations include processing facilities and have invested in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) technology for smolt production. A post-smolt facility at Applecross, Scotland, represents part of a development program to produce larger smolts before sea transfer. Company materials indicate ongoing investment programs in Scotland to expand production capacity and implement RAS technology across freshwater operations.

Fleet and Service Vessels

Bakkafrost operates a fleet of farm service vessels (FSVs) for operations including fish transport, sea lice treatment, net cleaning, harvesting, and general farm maintenance. The fleet includes wellboats for live fish transport, with vessels configured for various operational requirements. Company materials document ownership of multiple specialized vessels for farming operations, positioning Bakkafrost among larger Faroese vessel operators.

Product Portfolio

Fresh Salmon Products

Bakkafrost produces fresh whole Atlantic salmon in various sizes for wholesale and retail markets. Fresh salmon fillets are available in different cut specifications and portion sizes. The company produces fresh skin-packed salmon portions in retail-ready packaging for consumer markets.

Frozen Salmon Products

The frozen product range includes whole salmon, salmon fillets, salmon portions, and salmon tails in various weight specifications. Frozen salmon products are packaged for both foodservice and retail distribution.

Smoked and Processed Products

Bakkafrost's value-added products include cold-smoked salmon and hot-smoked salmon products. Smoked products are produced at the company's Glyvrar facility and marketed under various brand names including Bakkafrost, 18 ISLANDS, HEIMLAND, BAKKA SALMON, NATIVE HEBRIDEAN (Scotland), and LOCHLANDER (Scotland).

By-products and Specialty Items

The company processes salmon offcuts, belly flaps, salmon heads, backbones, and salmon skin for specialized markets. These products serve industrial customers, pet food manufacturers, and other specialized applications.

Brand Portfolio

In addition to the Bakkafrost brand, the company markets products under region-specific brands. Scottish salmon products are marketed under Native Hebridean and Lochlander brands, emphasizing Scottish provenance. The 18 ISLANDS and HEIMLAND brands reference Faroese origin.

Certifications & Quality Standards

Certification Disclaimer: The following certifications are referenced in company materials and certification databases. AgriLinkage has not independently verified current validity, scope, or compliance status. Certification standing can change based on audit outcomes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation directly from the supplier and verify validity with issuing bodies.

Aquaculture Stewardship Council (ASC)

Bakkafrost achieved complete ASC certification for all farming sites in the Faroe Islands by 2020, according to company announcements. The company documented its first ASC-certified site at Gøtuvík in March 2015, becoming the first farm in the Faroe Islands to receive this certification. ASC certification requires compliance with environmental and social criteria including limits on nutrient loading, responsible feed sourcing, minimal use of chemicals and antibiotics, protection of biodiversity, and fair labor practices. The standard is administered by the Aquaculture Stewardship Council, an independent organization founded by WWF and IDH.

The company holds ASC Chain of Custody certification for its harvesting and value-added product production, enabling traceability of ASC-certified salmon through the processing chain. Havsbrún's feed production facility achieved ASC Feed Standard certification, covering the feed manufacturing operations that supply Bakkafrost's salmon farms.

Bakkafrost Scotland holds 4-star Best Aquaculture Practices (BAP) certification, according to company materials. BAP is administered by the Global Aquaculture Alliance and certifies operations across hatchery, farm, processing, and feed production stages.

Food Safety Certifications

Bakkafrost's value-added products facility holds certifications to BRC (Brand Reputation through Compliance) Global Standard for Food Safety and IFS (International Featured Standards) Food. Both standards are recognized by the Global Food Safety Initiative (GFSI) and cover food safety management systems, HACCP implementation, facility standards, and product control.

Quality Management

All production units hold ISO 9001:2015 certification for quality management systems, according to company materials. This international standard establishes requirements for quality management processes and continuous improvement.

Feed and Raw Material Certifications

Havsbrún's fishmeal and fish oil production holds multiple certifications: GMP+ (Good Manufacturing Practice) for feed safety, IFFO RS (International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organisation Responsible Supply) certification for responsible sourcing, and MSC Chain of Custody for marine ingredients from certified sustainable fisheries.

Global GAP

The company's entire value chain holds GlobalGAP certification, covering integrated farm assurance standards for aquaculture operations.

Fishmeal, Fish Oil, and Fish Feed Production

Havsbrún, acquired by Bakkafrost in 2011, produces the fishmeal, fish oil, and fish feed used throughout Bakkafrost's operations. The facility is located in Fuglafjørður in the Faroe Islands. Raw materials include locally caught pelagic fish from sustainable stocks and offcuts from pelagic processing facilities. According to company materials, the short transport distance from fishing grounds to processing facilities reduces carbon footprint and ensures fresh raw material quality.

The fishmeal and fish oil produced at Havsbrún form the primary ingredients in Bakkafrost's salmon feed. Company materials indicate Bakkafrost's feed contains a higher proportion of marine ingredients compared to industry averages, reflecting the company's emphasis on marine-based nutrition profiles. The fish oil undergoes processing to remove environmental pollutants, a practice Bakkafrost began implementing in 2015 according to historical records.

Feed formulation at Havsbrún incorporates additional plant-derived proteins and lipids from non-GMO sources. The feed production capacity allows Bakkafrost to supply the majority of its own feed requirements, though some feed sales occur to external customers. Historical data from 2010 indicated Havsbrún processed approximately 116,000 metric tons of raw material annually, producing approximately 60,250 metric tons of fish feed, 25,000 metric tons of fishmeal, and 9,900 metric tons of fish oil.

Markets & Distribution

Geographic Market Distribution

According to financial disclosures, Bakkafrost's sales are distributed across multiple regions. Western Europe represents the largest market segment (approximately 64% of net sales), followed by Asia (approximately 19%), Eastern Europe (approximately 13%), and North America (approximately 3%), with remaining sales to other regions, based on documented sales breakdowns.

The company maintains market presence in Europe, the United States, Asia, and other regions through various distribution channels. Products reach markets across six continents according to company materials.

Sales Operations

Bakkafrost operates sales offices and distribution arrangements in key markets. The company established a UK sales operation, Bakkafrost plc, in late 2012 to serve UK and European markets. In 2018, Bakkafrost acquired North Landing Ltd, a New Jersey-based salmon importer, to strengthen operations in the United States market. The company operates a value-added products facility in the United States that was expanded in 2020 to approximately twice its previous size.

Distribution Channels

Products reach customers through multiple channels including direct sales to retailers, foodservice distributors, and wholesale markets. The company supplies both industrial customers requiring bulk salmon products and consumer-facing retailers requiring packaged products.

Logistics

In 2021, Bakkafrost announced plans to operate its own air freight service using a Boeing 767-200 aircraft to transport finished products to the United States and other markets. This made Bakkafrost the first fish farming company to own and operate dedicated air freight services according to industry reports.

Sustainability Initiatives

Implementation Disclaimer: The following represents publicly stated initiatives documented in company materials. Independent verification of implementation would require third-party assessment.

Global Salmon Initiative Membership

Bakkafrost is a founding member of the Global Salmon Initiative (GSI), an international consortium of salmon producers committed to advancing sustainability standards. Through GSI membership, Bakkafrost committed to achieving ASC certification across all farming sites and participates in industry-wide knowledge sharing on biosecurity, feed efficiency, and sustainability metrics.

Environmental Management

Bakkafrost operates within the Faroese regulatory framework established in 2003, known as the Faroese Veterinary Model. This regulatory regime established comprehensive controls over aquaculture operations including fish welfare standards, environmental protection requirements, and disease prevention measures. The legislation introduced mandatory separation of farming sites and "All-in/All-out" management where each generation of fish occupies separate fjords and farming areas remain fallowed between production cycles.

The company produces biogas from organic waste at a facility called FÖRKA. According to company announcements, this facility converts biological waste from hatchery operations into biogas for electricity and heating production. In December 2020, company materials indicated FÖRKA delivered approximately 1% of total electricity production in the Faroe Islands.

Feed Sustainability

Bakkafrost's control over feed production through Havsbrún allows sourcing oversight of marine raw materials. The company documents that feed ingredients come from pelagic fisheries not listed as IUU (Illegal, Unreported, Unregulated) or on the IUCN Red List of endangered species. The company participates in the Ocean Disclosure Project, providing annual disclosures of marine ingredients used in feed production.

Antibiotic Use

According to Faroese industry materials, salmon farmed in the Faroe Islands are free from antibiotic use due to the effectiveness of the preventative veterinary regulatory framework implemented in 2003.

Technology & Innovation

Smolt Size Development

Bakkafrost has invested in producing larger smolts before sea transfer, targeting average smolt sizes of 500 grams. Larger smolts spend less time in sea-based farms, reducing exposure to biological risks including sea lice and diseases. The company's strategy focuses on extended land-based rearing in hatchery facilities before ocean transfer.

Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS)

The company is implementing RAS technology in Scotland for smolt production. RAS facilities recirculate water through biological and mechanical filtration systems, allowing greater control over water quality, temperature, and biosecurity compared to flow-through systems. Bakkafrost Scotland signed contracts with RAS technology providers and operates a post-smolt facility at Applecross as part of its RAS development program.

Broodstock Development

In 2018, Bakkafrost integrated the Faroese broodstock program previously operated by Fiskaaling P/F. This provides control over genetic selection for disease resistance, growth characteristics, and product quality. The company operates dedicated facilities for broodstock maintenance and roe production.

Feed Technology

Havsbrún's feed production incorporates proprietary formulations with high marine ingredient content. The fish oil purification process removes environmental contaminants including dioxins and PCBs, implemented beginning in 2015. This produces feed with reduced pollutant levels while maintaining omega-3 fatty acid profiles.

Regulatory Context

Faroese Aquaculture Regulation

The Faroe Islands implemented comprehensive aquaculture veterinary legislation in 2003 following an infectious salmon anemia (ISA) outbreak that severely impacted the industry in the early 2000s. The resulting Faroese Veterinary Act on Aquaculture established strict requirements for fish welfare, biosecurity, site management, and environmental protection. Key elements include mandatory site fallowing between production cycles, physical separation between farming sites, veterinary oversight, and disease surveillance.

The regulatory framework requires coordination among farming companies to implement generation management across the islands. Each generation of salmon is confined to specific fjords, and following harvest, fjords remain empty for minimum two-month fallowing periods. This system has influenced international aquaculture regulation development.

Faroese Licensing System

Salmon farming in the Faroe Islands operates under a licensing system administered by Faroese authorities. Licenses specify maximum biomass allowances for farming sites. Bakkafrost operates under multiple licenses across various locations throughout the Faroe Islands.

Scottish Regulatory Framework

Bakkafrost Scotland operates under Scottish and UK aquaculture regulations administered by various authorities including Marine Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA), and local councils. Regulations cover site licensing, environmental monitoring, fish health, and wildlife protection.

Information Currency and Verification

This company profile reflects publicly available information from company website materials, Oslo Stock Exchange filings, Wikipedia articles, business registrations, certification databases (ASC, IFFO, GlobalGAP), Faroese government sources, and industry publications including SeafoodSource, The Fish Site, and Faroe Business Report. Time-sensitive data including production volumes, facility counts, certifications, ownership percentages, and harvest numbers may change. Users requiring current information should contact the company directly.

Certification validity and compliance status can change based on audits and operational changes. Buyers requiring certified products should request current documentation from the supplier and verify validity with certification bodies including the Aquaculture Stewardship Council (www.asc-aqua.org), Global Aquaculture Alliance (for BAP certification), and relevant food safety certification bodies.

AgriLinkage has not conducted independent verification of operational capabilities, facility conditions, or compliance claims. Commercial parties should conduct independent due diligence appropriate to their transaction requirements including facility visits, third-party audits, sample testing, financial verification, and regulatory compliance checks.

Production volume data represents historical figures from various years and may not reflect current capacity. Geographic market distribution percentages are based on available financial disclosures and represent approximate distributions that vary over time. Specific technical specifications, product availability, and commercial terms require direct verification with Bakkafrost.

Accessing Current Information

Parties interested in establishing commercial relationships with Bakkafrost or seeking current operational information should contact the company directly through official channels. Bakkafrost's primary contact points include its corporate website at www.bakkafrost.com and its headquarters in Glyvrar, Faroe Islands.

The company maintains investor relations functions accessible through the Oslo Stock Exchange for financial information and corporate governance materials. Buyers seeking product specifications, pricing, certifications, or supply arrangements should contact Bakkafrost's sales departments through the channels specified on the company website.

Potential commercial partners should prepare standard due diligence 

inquiries including requests for:

• Current ASC certificates with site-specific scope

• Food safety audit reports (BRC, IFS)

• Product specifications and available certifications

• Pricing and minimum order quantities

• Delivery capabilities and lead times

• Quality control procedures and testing protocols

• Traceability documentation systems

• Supplier qualification requirements

Conclusion: Bakkafrost's Position in Atlantic Salmon Production

Bakkafrost represents a vertically integrated Atlantic salmon producer operating across the Faroe Islands and Scotland with documented operations spanning feed production through finished product manufacturing. The company's integration from fishmeal production through consumer products distinguishes it within the salmon farming industry, providing traceability and operational control throughout the production chain.

For buyers seeking Atlantic salmon products with Faroese or Scottish provenance, Bakkafrost offers an established supply source with documented ASC certification in the Faroe Islands and multiple food safety certifications across processing operations. The company's product portfolio spans fresh and frozen whole salmon, fillets, portions, and value-added products including smoked salmon, serving retail, foodservice, and industrial markets across multiple continents.

The company's operational scale, documented by tens of thousands of metric tons of annual production, positions it to serve buyers requiring consistent volumes. The dual production base in the Faroe Islands and Scotland provides geographic diversification for buyers concerned about supply security. The vertical integration including feed production may be relevant for buyers with specific requirements regarding feed composition or traceability.

Prospective buyers should conduct standard commercial due diligence including verification of current certifications, product specifications, pricing, and delivery capabilities. The information in this profile provides background on company structure, operations, and market position but does not substitute for direct commercial engagement and verification of specific transaction requirements.

For buyers seeking to evaluate Bakkafrost as a potential supplier, direct contact with company sales representatives represents the necessary next step to obtain current product information, certifications, pricing, and to assess alignment between buyer requirements and supplier capabilities. AgriLinkage welcomes inquiries from qualified buyers seeking assistance in establishing verified contact with Bakkafrost or other certified salmon suppliers.