NORWEGIAN retail chain, Narvesen, this week started the sale of crocodile sausages, made from meat imported from Zimbabwe at around 60 of its outlets around the country. 
The chain store presented the exotic product in Norwegian potato-cake and bread. However, the new product does not make every one excited, writes the Norwegian finance newspaper Dine Penger. 
The company confirms that the crocodile meat comes from a breeding farm owned by the Padenga group. The farm accounts for a third of the world crocodile meat.
However, its promotion sparked reactions among animal welfare organisation considering hunting and slaughtering methods used in the exporting country.
“Poor conditions at animal farms are well known, especially in distant lands. Slaughtering methods may be applied under a completely different set of rules compared to the rules in Norway. These are industries that are not controlled by the Norwegian Animal Welfare Act,” said Linn Krogstad from Dyrebeskyttelsen organisation.
Narvesen’s communication manager Ida Håvik , however, said the sausage manufacturer received evidence that the health of crocodiles has been looked after well.
She maintained that the Zimbabwe farm was chosen because it addresses all standards required internationally for breeding of crocodile, and because they deliver a product of very high quality.
Currently, crocodile sausage is sold for $6.45, which is relatively expensive for Narvesen fast foods with the purchase price of one kilo of crocodile meat exceeds up to $75 USD.
“It is definitely expensive meat, and we do not project high profit. We periodically promote products which enable our customers to try an exciting and different experience, even if we do not necessarily earn that much,” said Håvik to Dine Penger.Advertisement