The value of thinking bigger than ourselves
Visions and ambitious goals are not enough to create change. Small and large improvements require courage and the ability to execute. The efforts of everyone at Norsk Kylling demonstrate that taking responsibility leads to results.
In the past year, we have reduced emissions by 5.5 % for every kilo of chicken we produce.
We have halved the proportion of soy in chicken feed since 2020, down to just 9 %.
Animal welfare is better than ever, with low mortality rates and excellent results at every stage of production.
Research and development collaboration has reduced food waste, providing 700,000 additional meals.
With halal certification, chicken with better animal welfare will be made available to more people.
In 2024, we have shown that it is possible to improve animal welfare even further and reduce emissions from our production. Although production has increased, our emissions have decreased. Since 2023, we have reduced emissions by 5.5 percent for every kilo of chicken we produce. Since 2020, emissions have been reduced by as much as 20 percent. This is an impressive team effort from everyone in our value chain!
The feed the chicken eats accounts for 70 percent of our emissions, and finding locally sourced and more sustainable protein sources for the chicken feed is one of our key tasks moving forward. In 2024, we reduced the soy content to 9 percent, and with dozens of research projects, we are working strategically towards a completely soy-free feed by 2030.
World-class animal welfare
In 2024, we achieved our best-ever results in animal welfare parameters. This was our first year with full operation at the new broiler hatchery in Støren, and we are already seeing clear benefits from the investments we've made. We have also welcomed even more skilled farmers to the team, who do their utmost for the animals every day. There is no doubt that our strong collaboration across the value chain, combined with our collective efforts to improve animal welfare, leads to more responsible food production.
With our own experiences, as well as knowledge from both national and international research, we have closely followed the government's proposals and the Norwegian Parliament's handling of the new animal welfare law. Although we had hoped for a stricter framework, with clear requirements for chicken breeds and more space, we are pleased that the Parliament has recognised the value of two ECC requirements that Norsk Kylling has followed since 2022. The new legislation's requirements for environmental enriochments for chickens, as well as the mandate for all new farmhouses to be built with windows, are not only important for farmer and animal welfare. They are also crucial for the industry's reputation. Transparency and openness are essential for building trust, fostering collaboration, and driving future development.
Transparency and openness are crucial for building trust, fostering collaboration, and driving future development.
A developing work environment
The number of applicants for open positions at Norsk Kylling has been record-high, and never before have so many applied for jobs with us. We have also increased the number of apprentices this year, and more and more of our employees are obtaining vocational certificates. During the year, our Chief Veterinarian, Merete Forseth, completed her PhD on the differences in animal welfare between Hubbard and Ross 308. With expertise, courage, and dedication, they make a significant contribution to our continued development of the work environment, animal welfare, and forward-looking technical solutions.
At the same time, we have seen an increase in sick leave, and we are working closely with both union representatives, managers, and the occupational health service to address this challenge with the right measures.
Responsible food production
As one of Norway's largest poultry producers, we have a responsibility to make chicken more accessible to more people. After a two-year process, Norsk Kylling was certified as a halal chicken producer in 2024. The separate halal production is also in line with ECC standards, maintaining the same high requirements for animal welfare at the processing plant. Over 450 REMA 1000 stores have now introduced halal chicken, showing the importance of this production for integration across Norway, and ensuring that Muslims have access to halal chicken in their local communities.
The shelf life of the products we produce has also increased, and we are actively working to reduce food waste. Through close collaboration with our equipment suppliers, we have contributed to better production machinery, which allows us to extract even more meat from the chicken. As the first in the world, we have piloted and developed a brand-new machine that extracts an additional four grams of meat from the chicken breast. While this may seem small, over the course of a year, it results in 700,000 more meals and 140 tons less food waste.
I am proud of everyone in the value chain who contributes every day and makes a difference for Norsk Kylling.
Wearing the leadership jersey is a commitment
Norsk Kylling's work has been recognised once again this year with several awards. I am pleased that our efforts are being noticed, with the distinction of Environmental Lighthouse of the year for large corporations, a green light in the Norwegian Animal Protection Alliance's consumer guide, and, not least, that Norwegian consumers have, for the third year in a row, named Solvinge the most sustainable chicken brand.
Norsk Kylling's ambition is to become the world's best food value chain. The path to this goal is about making small improvements on big challenges, and how we inspire, follow up on, and develop the people we have across the entire value chain. We are fortunate to have responsible and engaged owners who support us and make this possible.
I am proud of everyone in the value chain who contributes every day and makes a difference for Norsk Kylling. Together we have taken the yellow leadership jersey in the industry, and I look forward to our continued development.