Ground beef shortage in several places - unstable deliveries

Norwegian consumers are facing a noticeable scarcity of ground beef, a staple in many households, as stores struggle to secure adequate supplies. This shortage is primarily attributed to a strained availability of Norwegian cattle slaughter, leading to a greater reliance on imported beef to fill the gap.

The impact is evident across various retail outlets, with some completely out of stock of ground beef while others can only offer imported alternatives. Data reveals a sharp increase in beef imports, with February's figures showing a substantial jump compared to the same month in 2024 and 2025. This surge in imports highlights the challenges faced by the domestic supply chain.

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The total supply of Norwegian cattle slaughter has been strained in the period leading up to Easter. The availability of fresh slaughter is somewhat reduced, and in addition, the regulatory reserves are empty for cattle, which could have supplemented the market with Norwegian slaughter.

Industry leaders acknowledge the difficulties, noting that the total supply of Norwegian cattle has been tight leading up to the Easter period. The depletion of regulatory reserves, which could have supplemented the market with Norwegian beef, has further exacerbated the situation. However, there is optimism that the supply situation will gradually improve as the summer months approach, signaling a potential return to normalcy for consumers.

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We expect the supply to improve gradually towards the summer.