Members of the cod family include cod, haddock, ling, sey and tusk. Most people are acquainted with fresh and frozen fish, few are familiar with the traditional Norwegian fish products which are klipfish and stockfish. Klipfish is split, salted, matured and dried in special hot air processing plants. Stockfish is unsalted and dried in fresh air.

Stockfish has played an important role in Norwegian trade for more than 1000 years and is considered the oldest processed fish products. Klipfish made its appearance much later, in the 17 century.

The nutritional value of one kilo stockfish is the equivalent of five kilos fresh fish. The difference accounts for water loss during the drying process.

Stockfish is one of the richest known sources of protein and is rated as a delicacy. Stockfish also contains important B-vitamins and is rich in iron and calcium.

Stockfish will keep indefinitely when stored in a dry cool place. Humidity will cause deterioration.

1000 years of stockflsh.
Stockfish was used for trading with foreign countries for centuries, along with skins and furs. In Viking times it was a main part of the diet and a trading commodity on long voyages. Practically every household in Northern Norway was dependant upon the fishing industry a 100 years ago. Northern Chieftains fished, farmed, traded and went to sea according to the season.

The Vikings way of life gradually came to an end with the establishment of the Hanseatic League in Bergen. Merchants from Northern Norway came to Bergen to trade fish, skin and furs for wine, fabrics and grain from European merchants. The Hansas dominated the trade and could guarantee regular sales of stockfish and cod liver oil. Dependable sales made it possible for people to live in the fishing villages along the northern coast which could not be supported by farming alone. The result was an increase in population in Lofoten, Versteralen and Finnmark.

The tendency to monopolize the Northern Norway trade in the cities of Trondheim and Bergen was strengthened after 1550. All foreign trade, from Northern Norway, was channeled through one of these towns. The Northerners were under contract to deal only with theirs creditors in these towns.

Nearly all Norwegian fish export during the Middle Ages were accounted for by stockfish. Italy became the first major market for this superior quality product.

By the 1830's the Lofoten tradesmen had built up cash reserves which made it possible for them to trade directly. The Bergen tradesmen and suppliers were gradually ousted.

Export of stockfish has seen a dramatic development during the past century. The whole world is a potential market, with exports going to over 30 countries. The major market are now Cameroon, Germany, Italy, Nigeria, Sweden, and USA.