The use of soy in Norwegian fish farming – an industry perspective on sustainability in the food supply chain

Abstract

The Norwegian fish farming industry has experienced drastic changes since its beginning in the 1970s. In 50 years, it has evolved from a small-scale national industry to a global multibillion dollar business. This growth has been dependent on a move from a feed mainly based on marine raw materials to a feed dominated by soy. The industry has faced criticism for its reliance on and extensive use of Brazilian soy. The move away from marine raw materials was motivated by the need to protect global fish stocks; however, it has had unintended sustainability consequences. In response to the allegation from the environmental movement and media, the industry has had to evaluate its use of soy and role in the global market. As a result of these considerations, work began to get an agreement in place with the Brazilian suppliers of soy to ensure a deforestation-free food supply chain. The thesis has sought to contribute to the understanding of how the Norwegian fish farming relate to its use of soy, and the criticism it has faced. The research questions of the project are 1) How does the Norwegian fish farming industry evaluate its use of soy? 2) What type of image does the Norwegian fish farming industry want to convey? and 3) How does the Norwegian fish farming industry work to find alternatives to soy? The research questions have been explored through the theoretical vantage points of globalisation, food supply chains, corporate social responsibility, and sustainability. The fish farming industry’s use of soy has been placed within the wider context of the global food supply chain it is a part of. A qualitative multiple case study has been conducted with interview data as the primary data source. The main finding of this thesis suggests that while environmental concerns have become increasingly important economic factors remain the most important in decision-making. The informants show a clear understanding of the current use of soy as sustainable referencing the agreements in place with its Brazilian suppliers. The negative perception of soy and the critique the industry has faced, stands in contrast to how the industry perceives itself. The informants describe an industry that is sustainability focused, forward leaning and future oriented. The development of alternative raw materials is presented as being a priority, yet the feed composition has changes little in recent years.