Sustainability report 2023

The 2023 sustainability report summarizes the impact on climate, nature, animal welfare, and public health throughout our and Nortura’s value chain. It includes relevant information regarding Norilia’s business where applicable.

The reported results are from the fiscal year January 1 to December 31, 2023, related to the goals in Nortura’s sustainability strategy. The selection of significant aspects is based on our stakeholder and materiality analysis from 2021.

"Our report amplifies our commitment to leveraging every resource for high-quality, in-demand products.", says Morten Sollerud, CEO of Norilia

Norilia Sustainability Focus Report 2023

The 2023 sustainability report, offers a comprehensive overview of their impact on climate, nature, animal welfare, and public health. The report underscores the company's commitment to sustainability and outlines several key initiatives and findings across their value chain.

Environmental Impact and Animal Welfare

The report points out that animals in Norway are among the healthiest globally, with the lowest antibiotic use in Europe. This is attributed to the collaborative efforts of veterinarians and farmers in preventive health work and responsible antibiotic use. The findings emphasize that Norwegian livestock, particularly dual-purpose cows and grass-fed cattle, are highly efficient in terms of resource utilization and have a relatively low climate footprint.

Biodiversity and Ecosystems

The report highlights the role of grazing animals in supporting biodiversity. Approximately 45% of Norway's land area is suitable for grazing, which helps maintain habitats for various species. The cessation of traditional farming practices like summer grazing and mowing poses a significant threat to these habitats, crucial for pollinators and other wildlife.

Research and Innovation

Our parent company, Nortura, are actively involved in several innovative research projects. These projects aim to develop sustainable Norwegian feed ingredients from underutilized bio-resources, such as seaweed and blue mussels, which can replace imported protein sources in animal feed. This research is part of their strategy to enhance self-sufficiency and sustainability in Norwegian food production.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA)

The report presents life cycle assessments (LCA) based on Norwegian production and conditions, utilizing a common data foundation. These assessments, conducted by NORSUS, analyze the environmental impact of food production from cattle, sheep, swine, eggs, chicken, and turkey. The LCA provides a clear comparison of the various livestock's impact on the environment, including greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption.

Key Figures LCA:

• Dairy Cattle: Significant contributors to Norwegian agriculture, with lower water usage and a high proportion of Norwegian ingredients in their feed.
• Beef Cows: Norwegian beef cows graze predominantly on local grass and contribute to biodiversity, despite slightly higher climate emissions than dairy cows, with water consumption significantly lower than the global average.
• Sheep: Play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, though profitability remains weak.
• Pigs: Norwegian pigs are noted for good health, low mortality, and efficient feed utilization, with half the climate emissions compared to international pig production.
• Turkey: Norwegian turkey requires minimal land and benefiting from stringent animal welfare standards. Efforts are underway to increase Norwegian feed content, with all imported soy being certified sustainable and deforestation-free.
• Chicken: In Norway chicken is a climate-friendly protein source, with minimal land use and strict animal welfare standards. Efforts are underway to increase Norwegian feed content, with 100% of imported soy being certified sustainable and deforestation-free.
• Eggs: Norwegian eggs are highlighted as being among the safest globally, with the capability to be consumed raw. The feed for laying hens includes imported soy, all of which is certified sustainable and deforestation-free.