Criticisable conditions behind the suppliers of soy to Norwegian salmon

Soy is one of the main ingredients of Norwegian salmon feed. In 2017, the fish farming industry imported just under 300 000 tons of soy protein concentrate, of which 87% came from Brazil.

Together with the organization Repórter Brasil, Future in our hands and Rainforest Foundation Norway have investigated the supply chain of soy production for Norwegian salmon feed, referring to the sub-suppliers of companies who sell their soy to Norwegian fish feed producers.

The report reveals that soy producers:

• illegally occupied indigenous territories.
• grow soy in areas where small-scale farmers have been subject to violence, threats and killings.
• are involved in illegal deforestation.
• have endorsed slave-like working conditions on their plantations.

An industry spinning out of control

The report paints a picture of a Brazilian soy industry that is spinning out of control. Structural issues combined with a lack of transparency makes it hard to guarantee where and how the soy is produced.

Future in our hands therefore argues that the Norwegian fish farming industry needs to replace soy with sustainable feeding material. It is possible to switch from soy to for example woodchips, microalgae, insects and slaughterhouse wastes.