European Commission chief visits Bakkafrost during official visit to Faroe Islands

Faroese salmon giant Bakkafrost received a special visitor on Friday last week, as European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen was in the Faroe Islands on an official visit, which included a tour of Bakkafrost facilities in Glyvrar.

Von der Leyen was visiting the Faroe Islands to formally sign a Memorandum of Understanding, further cementing links with the EU through trade and strategic collaboration, including regarding seafood and fisheries.

Seafood is one of the Faroe Islands' main economic drivers, and within the sector, Bakkafrost is a dominating force, as both the main fish farming company in the Faroes, and one of the country's largest private employers.

Bakkafrost CEO Regin Jacobsen welcomed von der Leyen on a tour of Bakkafrost facilities at the company's Glyvrar headquarters.

“We’re proud to showcase our dedication to sustainable aquaculture practices for such a distinguished guest. President von der Leyen’s visit highlights the critical role that aquaculture plays in ensuring food security, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in the European Union and beyond,” Jacobsen said in a press release.

Signing the Memorandum of Understanding together with Faroese counterpart Aksel V Johannesen and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, von der Leyen emphasised the importance of seafood trade links, and said the EU hoped to improve Faroe Islands seafood producers' access to the EU market.

"In 2022, almost 100% of Faroese seafood exports to Europe came in duty-free. But now, with the new agreement, we will discuss now how to improve further your access to our market," said Leyen in her speech.

"And here, we want to include in our discussion also the higher value-added seafood products, so the processed seafood products. And it includes the understanding, of course, and we discussed that, that we keep high standards in terms of sustainability and fisheries management."