Fish Processing Companies in Ålesund: An Analysis of Companies, Statistics, and Outlooks

The fish processing companies in Ålesund form a small but dynamic sector with both challenges and opportunities. In 2025, the industry had 12 registered companies, but only one active company (Neptun Fisk As in Skodje) with significant operational results and employees. Sales grew by 14.6% from 2024 to 2025, and the EBITDA margin was 11% for the single active company. At the same time, data shows that over half of the companies in the sector have zero sales or employees, indicating that many are not actively operating. This creates a mix of potential and uncertainty for entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in the sector.

Sales in Ålesund's fish processing sector have grown up to 2025, with an annual increase of 14.6% from 2024. This shows a positive trend, even though there have been variations over the years. Sales reached their lowest point in 2019 (NOK 7.1 million) before increasing sharply in 2020 (NOK 9.6 million) and reaching a peak in 2025 (NOK 11.4 million). Employment in the industry has been more unstable, with a 40% decline from 2022 to 2023, but an increase of 66.7% from 2025 to 2026. The single active company (Neptun Fisk As) had 5 employees and an EBITDA margin of 11% in 2025.

In Ålesund, 12 companies are registered in the fish processing sector, but only one of these (Neptun Fisk As) has active operations. The other companies have either zero sales or employees, or are newly established without operational results. The most represented company forms are AS (2 companies) and ENK (several). The key companies are:

• Neptun Fisk As (Skodje): 5 employees, NOK 11.4 million sales, EBITDA NOK 1.3 million
• Rett Fra Havet As (Ålesund): 0 employees, 0 sales
• Brolille Fjørtoft (Fjørtoft): 0 employees, 0 sales
• Kowalski Delicacy (Ålesund): 0 employees, 0 sales
• Møre Havprodukter Ans (Ålesund): 0 employees, 0 sales

Most companies are newly established (e.g., Kowalski Delicacy in 2024), but they have not yet started operations.

Geographically, activity in Ålesund's fish processing sector is concentrated in Skodje, where Neptun Fisk As is the only company with significant operational results. In Ålesund, one company (Rett Fra Havet As) is registered, but this has zero sales and employees. There is no data on activity in other parts of the municipality. This shows that Skodje is an important hub for fish processing in Ålesund, while the Ålesund center has lower activity in this sector.

Fish processing companies in Ålesund show a mix of stability and uncertainty. The single active company (Neptun Fisk As) has been in operation since 2003 and has not gone bankrupt. However, over half of the registered companies (7 of 12) have zero sales or employees, indicating that they are not actively operating. This may be due to many companies being newly established without operations, or having ceased operations. There are no registered bankruptcies in the sector, but there is a clear trend that many companies do not achieve operational results.

For entrepreneurs considering establishing themselves in Ålesund's fish processing sector, data shows both opportunities and challenges. The only active company (Neptun Fisk As) has a strong EBITDA margin of 11% and growing sales, indicating that profitability is achievable in the sector. However, there is only one active company in the municipality, and over half of the registered companies have no operations. This may suggest high competitiveness or that many companies fail to establish themselves. Skodje appears to be a more promising location than the Ålesund center, where the only company does not operate.

Compared to the broader services sector (services) in Ålesund, fish processing companies form a smaller but more profitable sector. The services sector has 144 companies and total sales of NOK 27.5 billion in 2025, but the EBITDA margin is lower (approximately 2.5% on average). Fish processing companies have a higher EBITDA margin (11% for the single active company), but with smaller volumes. The key peer companies in the services sector are supermarkets and stores, such as Coop Nordvest Sa and Blindheim Mat As, which have higher sales (up to NOK 567.2 million) but lower EBITDA margins (approximately 3% on average). This shows that fish processing companies can be more profitable, but with smaller market shares.

Fish processing companies in Ålesund are a sector with both potential and challenges. The single active company (Neptun Fisk As) shows that profitability is possible, but there is only one company in operation, and over half of the registered companies have no activity. Skodje appears to be a more promising location than the Ålesund center. Entrepreneurs should consider establishing themselves in Skodje, where an existing operational model exists. SmartGrunder can help find suitable addresses and assess establishment conditions in the municipality.