Roe prices are rising sharply: 52 kroner per kilo

In West Greenland, the quota for this year's coastal stonefish fishery is 1,327.3 tonnes, divided into seven management areas.

In all areas, the stonefish fishery is underway, but according to fishing and trapping associations as well as purchasing points along the coast that Sermitsiaq has spoken to, fishing and production have not yet fully started due to the cold weather and the long winter.

However, prices for stonefish roe are now higher than in previous years. According to fishery producers in Nuuk, this is due to the high demand on the world market, the MSC certification (Marine Stewardship Council) with a focus on sustainability, and the fierce competition between purchasing facilities in Nuuk.

Rising prices

This year, there are four companies in Nuuk that produce fish and rockfish roe: Royal Greenland A/S, Nuuk Fisk (part of Polar Raajat A/S), Unik Seafood Greenland A/S and the new Arctic Roe ApS.

At the end of March, Arctic Roe ApS and KNAPK entered into an agreement on a minimum price of 35 kroner per kilo of rockfish roe. This helped to trigger fierce competition between the fish factories.

Currently, Royal Greenland and Nuuk Fisk purchase rockfish roe for 50 kroner per kilo plus one kroner in bonus. Unik Seafood Greenland pays 50 kroner per kilo plus two kroner in bonus to regular suppliers. Arctic Roe does not wish to comment on the prices.

Satisfied fishermen

Karl Kristian Kruse, chairman of the fishing and hunting association Neqitat in Nuuk, says that the vast majority of members are now fishing for stonefish – partly because of the high roe prices.

– It was said that MSC certification would make stonefish roe more expensive, but for several years the price has been very low.

– Due to the weather, fishing has not yet really started, but the fishermen are very satisfied with the significantly higher prices than before, says Karl Kristian Kruse, former Naalakkersuisoq for Fisheries, Hunting and Agriculture.

Competition for fishermen and bonuses

He says that the fish factories in Nuuk have held meetings with the fishermen to secure supplies of stonefish roe.

– We hear about attempts to secure suppliers and about offers of various benefits, including the opportunity to become co-owners of a factory.

– It is a new situation, and we hope that it will also affect prices next year, he says.

He adds that he himself is currently fishing for halibut, where the price can reach 33 kroner per kilo depending on the place of purchase in Nuuk.

Conceived roe

According to director Mark Kristensen from Unik Seafood Greenland A/S, the purchase has not yet fully started due to the cold weather, but he points to several reasons for the high prices.

– A few years ago, the price of rockfish roe was almost 50 kroner per kilo, but stocks in other countries and in Iceland have fallen. This has increased demand and pushed prices up.

– We must take advantage of the situation – we don’t know if it will happen again, he says.

At the same time, he emphasizes that good and trusting cooperation between factories and fishermen is crucial for high purchasing.

Also sold in Greenland

The rockfish roe from Unik Seafood Greenland is exported to several European countries, but some is also packed and sold in Greenland – including via Brugseni.

– We also produce for the domestic market, and that is very important to us, says Mark Kristensen.

Last year, around 20 tons of rockfish roe were produced at the factory in Nuuk, which has 14 employees. In addition, cod, halibut, redfish and sculpin are produced.