Salmon Fillets: The Foundation for Quality and Growth in the Seafood Wholesale Market
Salmon fillets are among the most traded seafood products worldwide in the B2B market. Their success is driven by a unique combination of flavour, nutrition, versatility, and presentation — making them highly attractive for supermarkets, foodservice companies, catering, industrial processing and export.
According to the FAO, global production of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) exceeds 2.7 million tonnes per year (2021; source: FAO State of World Fisheries), with the majority processed into fillets. Norwegian and Scottish salmon dominate the European market. Companies like Neerlandia Urk specialise in supplying top-quality salmon fillets, with reliability, traceability and sustainability at the core of every step in production and distribution.
Why Salmon Fillets Are Essential to the Seafood Wholesale Industry
Salmon fillets play a crucial role in countless foodservice concepts, retail formulas and processing companies worldwide. Buyers demand certainty: consistent quality, reliable food safety and a transparent origin that meets the strictest standards for sustainability.
At Neerlandia Urk, we understand these needs better than anyone. With more than 50 years of experience, advanced processing technology and a wide range of certifications (including MSC, ASC, Organic, IFS and BRC), we are your trusted partner for premium salmon products for every B2B application. Our expertise in salmon fillets guarantees quality, reliability and service — straight from Urk, Europe’s largest fishing port, to your organisation.
Our Salmon Fillets: Fresh, Frozen and Fully Certified
We supply salmon fillets in various formats, tailored to the needs of wholesalers, foodservice companies and the processing industry:
- Fresh or IQF (frozen)
- Trimmed salmon fillets with or without skin
- Portions for poke bowls, loins, steaks or burgers
- Organic salmon fillets with the EU-Organic label
- Norwegian and Scottish salmon with transparent origin documentation
Our salmon fillets are known for their consistent quality, fast processing and dependable delivery. Thanks to a high degree of automation combined with manual quality checks, we consistently meet the highest industry standards. Customers benefit from flexible delivery options — from bulk to private label — tailored to export or production requirements.
Choosing Neerlandia means choosing salmon fillets that are fully certified and traceable.
Salmon Fillets and Alternatives: Comparisons and Options
Which species resemble salmon fillets? Many buyers compare Atlantic salmon to other Pacific salmon species such as Sockeye salmon and Coho salmon.
- Sockeye salmon has a naturally deep red colour, a firm texture and a lower fat content. It is often chosen for its intense flavour and vibrant appearance, making it popular in premium retail and foodservice applications.
- Coho salmon offers a milder taste and a more delicate texture compared to Sockeye. With its moderate fat content and bright orange-red flesh, it is a versatile alternative for a wide range of culinary uses.
Both species differ from Atlantic salmon in flavour intensity, fat levels and colour, but they remain strong alternatives for buyers seeking specific taste profiles, sustainable sourcing or regional product preferences.
Organic Salmon Fillets: Maximum Transparency and Control
Do organic salmon fillets exist? Yes, and the share of organic farming is rapidly increasing. Neerlandia Urk offers organic salmon fillets with the EU-Organic label, which guarantees that every stage of the chain meets strict ecological and food safety standards. Key features:
- Lower stocking density in farming pens (up to 50% lower than conventional; source: Good Fish Foundation)
- No preventive use of antibiotics or pesticides
- Special organic feed, free from GMO ingredients, synthetic colourants or non-organic additives
- Independent and frequent inspections throughout the entire chain in accordance with EU regulations
When purchasing organic salmon fillets, always look for the green EU-Organic leaf logo. Neerlandia supplies salmon fillets exclusively with certified labels and full batch traceability — from smolt to final customer. We participate in independent audits to give buyers maximum certainty.
What to Look for When Buying Salmon Fillets
When sourcing salmon fillets, quality, food safety and sustainability are essential. Always check the following:
- Colour & smell: Bright, fresh salmon-pink colour and a neutral, slightly salty scent indicate freshness.
- Texture: Firm and elastic — not soft, sticky or watery.
- Origin & certifications: Look for MSC (wild-caught), ASC/Organic (responsibly farmed) and request transparent batch documentation.
- Packaging: Choose loose fillets or vacuum-packed options depending on shelf life and logistics. Both options are available at Neerlandia.
Always watch for visual damage, browning, ammonia smell and request recent lab results if needed. At Neerlandia, salmon fillets undergo continuous quality checks, ensuring a risk-free supply chain.
Farmed vs. Wild Salmon Fillets: Facts and Considerations
Farmed salmon (mainly Norwegian and Scottish) accounts for approximately 95% of all salmon fillets processed in Europe (source: FAO), because wild salmon from Alaska or Canada is limited and seasonal.
Advantages of farmed salmon:
- Consistent, year-round availability
- Standardised quality
- Higher average fat content
- Stable colour and texture
- Strict traceability and controlled feed/water quality
Wild salmon fillets are leaner, less consistent in colour, fat and size, and typically more expensive. They are used primarily in the premium segment. Neerlandia provides salmon fillets with transparent origin documentation, making it easy to distinguish between farmed and wild salmon. Organic farmed salmon is a growing alternative, offering environmentally friendly characteristics of wild salmon combined with the supply stability of aquaculture.
Norwegian vs. Scottish Salmon Fillets: A Comparison
Norwegian and Scottish salmon fillets both come from Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar), but differ in farming practices, certifications and flavour profile:
- Norwegian salmon: large-scale farms in open sea pens, consistent quality, mild flavour and stable fat content.
- Scottish salmon: often carries the “Label Rouge” quality mark, with a firmer texture and deeper colour, highly valued by premium foodservice. (Note: Label Rouge is not an organic label.)
Neerlandia processes both Norwegian and Scottish salmon fillets, always supplied with full product specifications, traceability and optional organic certification — giving buyers maximum flexibility.
Sustainable Salmon Fillets: The Standard at Neerlandia Urk
Sustainably produced salmon fillets are essential for the future of the seafood sector — and for your company’s reputation. When sourcing salmon fillets, consider:
- Certifications: Choose salmon with recognised MSC, ASC or Organic labels
- Origin: Transparent documentation from smolt to finished fillet
- Animal welfare: Lower stocking densities, responsible feed and good living conditions
Neerlandia works exclusively with partners who demonstrably meet these standards. We offer salmon fillets with clear sustainability documentation and independent audits. This minimises recall risks and strengthens your sustainability strategy.
Frozen vs. Fresh Salmon Fillets: What You Need to Know
Is frozen salmon fillet just as good as fresh?
Yes — provided it is frozen immediately after processing.
Thanks to Neerlandia’s IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) process, differences in quality are minimal: flavour, structure and nutrients are preserved. Research shows that salmon fillets stored at –18°C retain their qualities for up to 12 months (source: Voedingscentrum).
Benefits of frozen salmon fillets:
- Better planning and less waste
- Efficient stock management for international export
- More stable pricing due to consistent availability
Fresh fillets offer maximum presentation and culinary appeal, but with a shorter shelf life. Neerlandia supplies both variants under strict temperature control and with transparent specification sheets — giving you the best option for your operations.
Case Study: An Optimised Supply Chain With Salmon Fillets From Neerlandia Urk
A European foodservice chain partnered with Neerlandia for both fresh and frozen salmon fillets, tailored to seasonal peaks and fluctuating demand. Through direct communication, realtime batch tracking and flexible portioning, the company expanded its operations and significantly reduced food waste. By choosing certified ASC and Organic salmon fillets, the company improved its sustainability reporting — showcasing how collaboration with Neerlandia leads to better results, lower risks and a stronger brand image.
Frequently asked questions
Trout fillet, Arctic salmon trout, steelhead trout, and in some preparations, eel fillet and cod loins.
Yes. Neerlandia supplies fully organic-certified salmon fillets with the EU-Organic label and guarantees complete traceability.
Choose certified products (ASC, MSC, Organic), request batch information and check colour, smell, texture and packaging.
Farmed salmon ensures supply certainty and consistent quality; wild salmon is leaner and more exclusive but more expensive and less predictable.
Norwegian salmon has a milder flavour and higher fat content; Scottish salmon often carries Label Rouge and has a firmer texture and deeper colour. Both are Atlantic salmon.
Look for uniform colour, firm texture and a fresh scent. Choose suppliers such as Neerlandia that offer full traceability and strong quality systems.
From a certified wholesaler such as Neerlandia, which works exclusively with ASC, MSC or Organic suppliers.
Yes — if it is quickly frozen after processing. IQF technology preserves quality.
A Sustainable Future With Salmon Fillets From Neerlandia Urk
For more than fifty years, Neerlandia Urk has set the standard in supply chain efficiency, quality and consistency in salmon fillets for the B2B market. As a certified family business, we supply salmon products your organisation can rely on: sustainable, dependable, globally deliverable and always compliant with the highest industry requirements.
With salmon fillets from Neerlandia, you choose partnership, expertise and honest products — enabling sustainable business and a healthy future for our oceans.
Buy Salmon Fillets Directly From Neerlandia Urk
Looking for salmon fillets with maximum security for your B2B organisation?
Contact our experts directly
