TWO HÄTÄLÄ PRODUCTS REACH THE FINALS OF RESPECTED SEAFOOD EXCELLENCE GLOBAL COMPETITION

Two Hätälä products reach the finals of respected Seafood Excellence Global competition. Finland’s largest fish processor will have a strong presence at the Seafood Global Expo event,
organised in Barcelona at the end of this month.

Both of the company’s submitted products have qualified for the finals of the respected Seafood Excellence Global Awards competition, held during the massive event. The finalists were selected from among eighty candidates.

Hätälä has its own stand at the event where it will showcase its products to seafood industry professionals from around the world. The company’s Executive Vice President Matti Isohätälä says that in Barcelona, Hätälä will particularly focus on “loimulohi” (flamed salmon) a Finnish specialty that stands out from mainstream fish products.

“Hätälä is the original producer of flamed salmon in Finland, since 1938 when we began our company history of producing high-quality fish products. Flamed salmon has three components – fish, fire, and salt – and that makes it a unique and healthy fish delicacy. We have invested in state-of-the-art production lines with real open fire flaming, capable of producing over 2000 kg/shift, serving customers around all of Europe.”

A tasty and innovative street food style, Salmon Chips (kebab) and premium all-in-one Nordic Burger complimented with a flamed salmon burger are Hätälä’s finalist products this year. This is
the second year in a row that Hätälä’s products have been selected as finalists.

Exports to Europe going forward strong

According to Matti Isohätälä, Hätälä is currently exporting its products to half a dozen countries in Europe. The products are sold under both the Oulu-based company’s own brand, and grocery
store chains’ private label brands. Our flagship product in export markets is flamed salmon and flamed salmon-based products.

“We develop high-quality products tailored for European tastes that are quick and easy to use,” he summarises.

Seafood Global Expo is the world’s largest seafood industry event. This year, it is being held in Barcelona from April 25th-27th 2023. The event is expected to host over 30,000 seafood industry
professionals from almost 160 countries.

Matti Isohätälä considers the event an important way of forging a path into international markets:

“We will have several hundred new contacts with potential customers,” he says.