Flea beetle larvae, Larvae | The Kiwi and Meny owner buys into the production of larvae

Through the acquisition, Norgesgruppen will finance Norway’s first larval factory, which will be established in Voss. The larvae are to be used in the production of both food for humans and animals.

– Together with Invertapro, we want to utilize the food waste for new protein-rich products, and in that way contribute to a more circular food production. It will also further develop the market for alternative protein sources. We believe it has a positive environmental effect, both in terms of increased resource utilization and for the climate, says sustainability director Signe Bunkholt Sæter in the Norgesgruppen in a press release.

– Insects are in a special class compared to other protein sources when it comes to CO2 emissions and feed, land and water requirements. The products going forward can be anything from pure dried larvae, flour from dried larvae as an ingredient in foods, or fish, chicken or pigs fed with insect meal. The market for this type of protein is large, stresses Solstad Ringheim.

Since 2016, Invertapro has produced flour beetle larvae at Voss. Until now, they have operated a pilot plant of 1,000 square meters. This will now be upgraded to a full-scale factory.

A portion of all fruit and vegetables that are not sold in NorgesGruppen’s stores today goes to Invertapro, which uses it for larval food. And there will be more in the future, according to Norgesgruppen.

By-products from larval production are to be used as fertilizer for organic farming. Invertapro is approved by the Norwegian Food Safety Authority to produce and sell larvae for human consumption and feed – and to sell insect secretions as organic fertiliser.