Delicacies for the East

SINTEF Fisheries and Aquaculture Research believe that it should be possible to significantly multiply Norwegian exports of herring roe to the Eastern European and Japanese markets. Norway is currently a minor player in these markets, with annual exports of barely 850 tonnes.

Herring roe is a well-established product in Asia, and as a by-product it has important potential, being very rich in proteins and omega-3 fatty acids. Herring roe is regarded as a delicacy, particularly in Japan, as well as in such markets as Russia, Romania, Belarus and Ukraine, where roe is used in salads. There is also an important market for capelin roe, a product that could be replaced by herring roe.