Fish and shellfish policy

The nutritional importance of fish is great. Fish is a good source of protein, polyunsaturated fats, and vitamin D. Nutrition recommendations urge us to eat varying species of fish favouring sustainable fish stocks, altogether some 300-450 g per week with a minimum of 200 g of fatty fish.

Natural fish stocks have declined due to, among other things, overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, and the pollution and littering of oceans. Many species that used to be common have become endangered. In order to replace natural fish, the cultivation of many fish and shellfish species has increased. The relative amount of aquaculture in the farming of fish and shellfish is approximately half of the total global fish farming at the moment. 

Fish and shellfish policy

Kesko’s grocery trade, Kespro, Kalatukku E. Eriksson and K-food stores favour species with a green rating in the WWF Finland’s Seafood Guide (in Finnish). Sustainable fish stocks and MSC and ASC certified suppliers are preferred when making selection decisions. Kespro and Kalatukku E. Eriksson and several K-food stores have been granted the MSC and ASC certificates.

The selections of Kesko’s grocery trade, Kespro, Kalatukku E. Eriksson and K-food stores do not contain such species rated red in the traffic light rating system of WWF Finland's Seafood Guide  which do not have the MSC or ASC certificate. Other certifications are not considered. We do not accept bluefin tuna in our selections.

In all our purchases, we require that the traceability of fish can be verified. We favour domestic fish and options with the smallest possible carbon footprint in our selections.

We invest in a diverse selection and also offer small schooling fish.

The social responsibility aspects of fish farms are monitored with ASC audits.

Scope of application and updating

The statement is applied to Kesko grocery trade’s, Kespro's, Kalatukku E. Eriksson's and K-food stores' purchasing of fish, shellfish and products with fish as the main ingredient.

When recommendations change, changes are made within the limits of purchase agreement periods.

The statement is reviewed and updated as necessary, but at least every two years.

Compliance aids

WWF Finland's Seafood Guide (in Finnish)

In case a fish species is not included in WWF Finland's Seafood Guide, Marine Conservation Society's Good Fish Guide and possible other sources of information are used for monitoring.

The fish and shellfish policy was published on 11 November 2008 and last reviewed on 12 February 2025.

Progress of the objectives of the fish and shellfish policy in 2024

The retail selection of Kesko’s grocery trade included 322 MSC certified fish products and 113 ASC certified products. Kespro’s selections had 395 MSC certified products and 75 ASC certified products. 83 K-food stores had fish counters with the MSC and ASC traceability certificate, which promotes sustainable fishing and aquaculture.

The share of farmed fish in sales in 2024 was 63%.

Progress in 2020-2024: