The Meat Shop Industry in Bergen: Current Situation and Future Outlook

The meat shop industry in Bergen features a mix of established companies and new entrants. There are a total of 7 companies registered in the municipality, two of which are AS companies with combined 23 employees and annual revenues of 13 million NOK. One of the most well-known players is Mat Tradisjon As, which has been operational since 2012 and has 22 employees. Several of the newer companies, such as Danmarksplass Kjøtt As and Vestland Kjøttbutikk Da, are not yet operational or have low activity. The industry shows a mix of stability and challenges, with some companies achieving positive results while others face losses.

Economic Trends

The industry has experienced variations in sales and number of employees over time. From 2016 to 2025, sales grew from 3.1 million to 12.7 million NOK, a 310% increase during the period. There have been marked fluctuations, including a 51.7% decline in 2020 and a 64.2% increase in 2021. The number of employees has varied between 7 and 38, with a peak in 2022 and a decline to 27 in 2026. The industry has an average gross profit margin of 61% and operating profit margin of 10%, indicating relatively strong margins.

Key Players in the Industry

The following companies are registered in Bergen:

Most companies are AS entities, and there is a clear difference in activity levels between older and newer companies. Mat Tradisjon As is the most stable player with positive results and high revenue.

Geographic Distribution

All companies in the industry are registered in Bergen, with a focus on central areas such as Fisketorget and Michael Krohns gate. There is no spread to other districts or municipalities. This indicates that meat shops in Bergen are concentrated in the city center, which can be an advantage for customer accessibility but also a challenge for competition between companies.

Dynamics and Risk Factors

The industry has been relatively stable with no bankruptcy registrations, but some companies have negative EBITDA values, such as Kjøttchefen As with a loss of 34,000 NOK. This may indicate economic challenges for new companies or companies with low activity. There is also a large variation in the number of employees, from 22 to 0, which could affect the industry's future development.

Future Outlook for Entrepreneurs

For entrepreneurs in the meat shop industry in Bergen, there are both opportunities and challenges. There is a relatively stable market with established companies like Mat Tradisjon As, but competition from larger meat shops and supermarkets can be a challenge. Entrepreneurs should consider focusing on unique offerings, such as local access to fresh products or sustainable practices, to stand out. It is also important to be aware of economic risks, such as negative EBITDA values at some companies.

Comparison with the Services Sector

The services sector in Bergen has 586 companies, showing that the meat shop industry is a smaller part of the broader services sector. The services sector has higher sales (13.95 billion NOK in 2024) and more employees (5,761 in 2026), but the meat shop industry has higher margins (61% gross profit vs. 10% for the services sector). Peer companies such as Meny Åsane Storsenter and Obs Hypermarked Lagunen have higher sales and EBITDA, but meat shops can compete with specialized offerings and local access.

The meat shop industry in Bergen shows a mix of stability and challenges. There are opportunities for entrepreneurs looking to establish themselves in a market with established companies, but there are also important challenges such as competition from larger meat shops and supermarkets. A strategic approach with a focus on unique offerings and sustainability can be the key to success. SmartGrunder can help entrepreneurs find suitable locations and strategies to establish themselves in this industry.