This year's sprat fishing – from which Swedish anchovies are made – has certainly started well. However, it will not be noticeable on store shelves until next year.
The fact that there may be an anchovy shortage this Christmas is due to the weather conditions for fishing last year, which P4 Väst has previously reported on.
Anchovies are a craft, they have to be stored in barrels for several months before they can be taken out to the store. So what we caught last year, in 2024, is what we have in cans this year, says Kajsa Petersson, communications manager at Orkla Foods in Sweden.
To meet the expected demand for Christmas, the food giant, which includes the Grebbestads anchovy brand, has chosen to also sell anchovy-seasoned herring fillets this year.
It is a product that has also been used in previous Christmases as a complement to Jansson-hungry Christmas celebrants.
We want Janssons to be on everyone's table, so there is this alternative if you can't get your hands on anchovies. Or if you want to try something new in the same flavor range, says Kajsa Petersson.
