For the fourth year in a row, Colruyt Group is harvesting Belgian mussels from the North Sea, off the coast of Nieuwpoort. The retailer expects a harvest of more than 90 tonnes of mussels this year and will be able to sell mussels in more than 300 stores for the first time, which will allow all Belgians to buy Belgian mussels in their region. Colruyt Group kicks off the Belgian mussel season with the Bel'Mer mussel festival in Nieuwpoort, in the presence of Minister Annelies Verlinden, Minister Hilde Crevits and Kris Vandecasteele, Mayor of Nieuwpoort.
The first Belgian mussels of the year have arrived and that is good news for Belgians: we each consume an average of 2.5 kilograms of mussels every year. 'Moules-frites' is Belgium’s national dish, but until a few years ago we couldn't eat it with Belgian mussels.
Bel'Mer: the Belgian mussel
Colruyt Group made it possible to harvest mussels from the Belgian North Sea, and not only in the Netherlands, France and Denmark. For several years now, the group has been farming mussels at its own offshore farm off the coast of Nieuwpoort.
Stefan Goethaert, CEO of Colruyt Group: "At Colruyt Group, we strongly believe in local supply chains and Belgian craftsmanship. That's why we decided to invest in a sea farm off the Belgian coast. By investing locally, we develop expertise, create jobs and ensure that economic value remains in Belgium. We want to show Belgians what is possible in our country and really let them taste it."
In the summer of 2023, Colruyt Group harvested 6 tonnes of Belgian mussels for the very first time. This year, the group estimates a harvest of more than 90 tonnes of Bel'Mer mussels, enough to be able to offer Belgian mussels in Colruyt, Okay and Spar stores. One kilogram of mussels costs 8.49 euros per kilogram.
With and by partners
Stefan Goethaert: "In 2015, the idea of developing our own sea farm emerged, based on the conviction that there was a lot of potential in the North Sea. We then started the first studies with the support of The Blue Cluster and the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund. In 2020, we were assigned a designated economic activity zone (Zone C) in the Marine Spatial Plan for the North Sea, via the Minister of the North Sea. Moreover, we can count on many local SMEs to support us for our daily operations. We are therefore extremely grateful to all our partners for being here today."
In the meantime, the sea farm has been expanded and 1km² or a quarter of the total project zone is used. That is good for 38 kilometres of mussel rope. Colruyt Group has eight full-time employees for the sea farm and in the high season temporary workers and seasonal workers also work to harvest the mussels. The retailer now also has two boats. The newest boat is called the 'Moules-Frites'.
“Our North Sea is a place where different interests and functions come together. The challenge is not to place these different activities in opposition to one another, but to connect them in a smart and sustainable way. The Westdiep sea farm is an example of how innovation and entrepreneurship can create new opportunities at sea, with respect for the environment and in collaboration with local partners. Sustainable food production, economic value and ecological responsibility go hand in hand here,” says Annelies Verlinden, Minister for the North Sea.
Flemish Minister for Fisheries Hilde Crevits: “The sea farm off the Belgian coast demonstrates the many opportunities our North Sea has to offer. Thanks to the collaboration between entrepreneurs, researchers, public authorities and local partners, Belgian mussels are being farmed here in a sustainable way. With the new aquaculture vessel ‘Moules Frites’, the project can continue to grow and professionalise. This goes far beyond mussels alone: it shows how we can use our North Sea intelligently for local food production, innovation and new economic opportunities along our coast. That is why we will continue to invest in knowledge, collaboration and the further development of sustainable aquaculture.”
Belgian, from A to Z
As a Belgian retailer, Colruyt Group aims to organise the entire chain of Belgian mussels in its own country. The sea farm is located off the coast of Nieuwpoort and the retailer also aims to organise the processing and purification of the mussels in Nieuwpoort.
In June this year, the City of Nieuwpoort allocated a warehouse in the fish market to Colruyt Group. Kris Vandecasteele, mayor of Nieuwpoort: "Nieuwpoort has historically had a strong bond with the sea. With this allocation, we are consciously creating opportunities for new maritime economic activities. Mariculture offers important opportunities in the field of innovation, sustainable food production and local economic development. We are convinced that this activity can play an important role in the future of our coastal region."
Stefan Goethaert: "We are very satisfied with our cooperation with the City of Nieuwpoort. With the warehouse now allocated to us, we can better organise our aquaculture activities and expand the chain completely locally. All activities are 100% Belgian, except for processing. Thanks to this new facility, this will become possible next year and our entire chain will truly be fully Belgian."
Bel'Mer mussel festival
Colruyt Group kicks off the Belgian mussel season with a dedicated mussel festival. In June, there was a promotion where customers could win an exclusive invitation to the mussel festival. On 1 July, they will be treated to Belgian mussels prepared by local top chefs.
