"I am proud of what the Ode team has achieved together in 2025," said CEO Ola Kvalheim (first from right) about the Norwegian cod farmer's achievements last year.
Photo: Ode.
With annual volume growth exceeding 110%, driven by increased activity and substantial improvements in biological performance, Norwegian fish farmer Ode became Norway's largest single supplier of cod in 2025. The milestone goes beyond the annual figure, as this is the first time a cod farming company has achieved such a position.
The company said in a statement that this achievement reflects "a long-term strategy built on fully integrated operations, a modern and scalable organization, and strong biological control."
According to data provided by the Norwegian Seafood Council in its latest report on Norway's seafood exports, in 2025, the country exported 36,704 tons of fresh cod worth NOK 2.8 billion, and as much as 38% of those fresh cod exports were farmed, up from 28% in 2024, a record-high share of the export value of fresh cod.
The figures now released by Ode show that, with a total of 10,018 tons last year, its production represented approximately 65% of Norway's total farmed cod production, which reached 15,493 tons, and about 30% of the combined export volume of wild-caught and farmed fresh cod from Norway.
The company stated that the growth in cod programs for customers, backed by a reliable year-round supply and consistently high product quality, was a key factor in its performance in 2025. More than 20 major retail chains and HoReCa distributors in Europe, the United States, and Asia account for the majority of its revenue.
However, despite its leading position in farmed cod and having expanded its role to become a key player in the entire cod category, Ode wants to go even further, as its CEO, Ola Kvalheim, explained.
"Our 2025 results represent an important milestone, but they are far from the end goal," he said. "We have demonstrated that it is possible to deliver consistently high quality at scale, while achieving low feed conversion, high survival rates, and strong growth performance."
"This is the result of long-term work and the dedication of a highly skilled and passionate organization. I am proud of what the Ode team has achieved together in 2025," he added.
As Ode highlighted in its statement, farmed cod has become an established and increasingly important component of Norway's seafood export portfolio, especially given that the lower quotas recorded in 2025 are now compounded by even lower forecasts for 2026.
If the quota cuts recorded in 2025 caused a drop in catches, 2026 does not look much more promising, after the fishing agreements for 2026 reached by the Norwegian government with the EU and the UK, as well as with Russia, have been marked by cod quota cuts.
Thus, farmed cod is helping to meet growing customer demand and support further market development. With increased production capacity, a strengthened organization, and targeted investments in technology and infrastructure, Ode claimed to be well-positioned for continued growth in the coming years.
During 2025, the Norwegian cod farmer continued to invest in submersible cage technology—it marked a new milestone in cod farming by marketing the world's first cod raised using deep-water technology—contributing to better biological control and performance in the sea phase.
It also made significant investments in product development and processing, which enabled year-round employment. By the end of 2025, Ode employed approximately 250 people across its value chain, with more than 75 new employees recruited during the year. This resulted in higher and more consistent product quality and closer collaboration with customers on product innovation.
"Customer feedback throughout 2025 has been exceptional," explained Ode CEO Ola Kvalheim. "The quality we deliver is both high and consistent, and our customers are achieving strong results with our products. Our portfolio aligns closely with key global megatrends, including rising demand for healthy, clean proteins produced in a long-term, renewable, and low-footprint manner. This positions Ode well for continued growth in the years to come," he concluded.