This article was featured in Eurofish Magazine 4 2025.
Hatala, a family-owned seafood processor located near the Arctic Circle in northern Finland, has built its reputation on quality, sustainability, and tradition. With salmon sourced from nearby northern Norway just 8–10 hours away, the company efficiently transforms high-quality raw material into a wide range of consumer-ready products, states Katja Ruokolainen, Marketing Manager. At the heart of Hatala’s operations is its flamed salmon—a Finnish culinary tradition where salmon is cooked over an open fire using only salt and flame. This product has no added flavours or smoke aroma, offering a unique, clean taste. Though well known in Finland, flamed salmon has gained international appeal. Hatala now exports it under both private label and its own brand to countries such as Switzerland and Germany. In addition to flamed salmon, Hatala processes whole fillets and uses the trimmings for items like salmon balls and fish-vegetable balls. Salmon heads and bones are directed to the pet food industry, ensuring a no-waste approach. The company also processes products from trout and local Finnish whitefish species, supporting over 400 independent fishermen.
Hatala handles around 18 thousand tonnes of salmon annually, making it Finland’s largest importer of Norwegian salmon. Two -automatic filleting lines manage the salmon, while more delicate local fish are hand-processed. While most products are sold fresh or frozen, some—like vendace—are used to create value-added items like fish balls for the domestic market. The domestic market remains Hatala’s primary focus, where the company serves both retail and food service sectors. However, -international growth is increasing. Export efforts have required significant consumer education, especially around flamed salmon, which many initially mistake for smoked or even raw fish. Once tasted, the response is overwhelmingly positive. Though salmon pricing remains volatile, Hatala mitigates risk through long-term supplier relationships. Now nearly 90 years old, the company continues to balance heritage with innovation, using its Arctic proximity, efficient logistics, and commitment to sustainable processing to deliver high-quality fish products to customers at home and abroad.
