A new digital gateway for Swedish aquaculture

Rainbow trout, one of the two main species produced by the members of Food Fish Farmers.
©Matfiskodlarna

The Food Fish Farmers, known in Sweden as Matfiskodlarna, serves as the country’s hub for aquaculture knowledge. With the support from the EU, the organisation developed a modern digital gateway to strengthen knowledge exchange, support collaboration, and inspire the future of Swedish aquaculture.

Matfiskodlarna in a nutshell

The Food Fish Farmers is the leading industry organisation for fish farmers in Sweden, uniting producers from north to south. Together, their member companies produce up to 20,000 tonnes of fish annually, focusing primarily on Arctic char and rainbow trout. From hatchery to harvest, they are involved in every stage of production, ensuring high-quality fish reach Swedish and international markets.

Communicating is key

The organisation’s website is crucial for communication with the sector and interested parties. However, as Wenche Hansson, CEO of the Food Fish Farmers, recalls, the previous version of the website struggled to meet expectations: “a significant part of my time was spent on answering phone calls”.

Recognising the need for an upgraded, user-friendly, and inspiring digital platform, the organisation launched a major rebuild with EU support, creating a central hub that consolidates all relevant information about Swedish aquaculture. This new digital resource allows fish farmers, researchers, policymakers, and citizens to easily access reliable, up-to-date information.

A centralised knowledge hub to support growth and collaboration

The revamped digital platform went live in January 2025 and aims to strengthen the sector. It now offers specialised information for member companies, ensuring quick access to the latest news on regulations, scientific research, and innovations helping them to adapt, collaborate, and grow.

For new entrants and students, the platform provides an invaluable introduction to the industry — demystifying aquaculture and supporting the next generation of fish farmers.

It also includes clear, accessible information for the wider public, helping to bridge knowledge gaps and challenge misconceptions about fish farming in Sweden.

“Bringing all relevant information together in one place is essential for the development of Swedish aquaculture,” Wenche says. “It saves time, reduces confusion, and helps everyone in the sector make informed decisions.”

Although the new platform has only been live since the beginning of 2025, it has already attracted visitors from 33 countries and from all over Sweden. The most popular section? An in-depth overview of how Swedish fish farming works in practice. “This is pleasing to note because it shows that we are reaching out with important facts about Swedish fish farming,” Wenche says.

With its modern interface, the platform also enables detailed analytics and visitor statistics, helping guide continuous improvements and content updates.

Looking ahead

Looking to the future, the Food Fish Farmers plan to expand the platform with more detailed information on sustainability and practical aquaculture techniques. This will be particularly valuable for the next generation of fish farmers, as the sector faces a generational shift and new opportunities for growth. The organisation is already collaborating with Sweden’s post-secondary education programme for sustainable aquaculture, with the new knowledge hub serving as an inspiration and resource for prospective students.