Vicūnai’s ‘ant salmon’ draws crowds at Seafood Expo as company eyes major expansion.
Vicūnai Group’s award-winning cold-smoked salmon with black ants started as a bold suggestion from one of its technologists, according to Šarūnas Stankevičius, the company’s Product Development Manager.
Speaking to SalmonBusiness at the Seafood Expo Global, Stankevičius said the idea was inspired by the growing popularity of insects as a trendy protein. “Our technologist called and said, ‘I have a nice idea.’ I said, ‘I don’t believe you!’” he recalled. “But ants have a sourness, a little like lemon from the acid inside — and everyone knows salmon with lemon works.”
The product, which won a special innovation award at the Seafood Excellence Global Awards, is currently being positioned as a showpiece item. However, Stankevičius confirmed that Vicūnai is preparing for a significant scale-up. “We are building a huge new factory in Estonia and investing €100 million. Right now, we are full, but the added capacity will open new possibilities.”
The edible ants are imported from a US supplier and chosen for both flavour and nutritional qualities, including proteins and antioxidants.
“Yesterday, when we won the award, everyone saw the product,” he added. “Today, we’ve had a lot of visitors checking it out and asking questions.”