Atria Finland's Export Insights:
Growth, Award-Winning Quality and Collaboration
In 2025, demand for Atria's high-quality meat increased across Asia and Europe. Antibiotic-free pork, as well as beef, and poultry all delivered strong results. Concurrently, the partnerships deepened, the world's best steak was prepared, and the new strategy accelerated international collaboration and the development of value-added offerings.
For Atria, 2025 has been a year of strong export performance, with total volume increasing by approximately 5%. Asia emerged as a particularly important growth driver, as sales in China, South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Singapore now account for more than half of exports. In addition, beef exports performed well in Europe.
– Our success in Asia stems from a long cooperation, started with South Korea over 30 years ago. Antibiotic-free pork remains our leading export product, while the shares of poultry and beef continued to grow as well, says Seppo Pellikka, Vice President of Export at Atria.
Meat for the World's Best Steak and More
One of the year's highlights was Atria and JN Meat International winning the 2025 World Steak Challenge's World's Best Grass-Fed Fillet Award.
– The win highlights Atria's sustainable production methods and premium standards. We emphasize responsibility and the importance of shared values, which are essential to creating mutual success and lasting value in any market, Pellikka rejoices.
Despite the rise of remote work, export work is, by its nature, field-driven. The team spends about one-third of their time travelling. In 2025, the most significant event was the Anuga Food Fair.
– At Anuga, Atria Finland and Atria Denmark presented a joint showcase of products, embodying the collaboration that the new strategy promotes, Pellikka adds.
In addition, Atria organized retail-chain-specific events in various markets, including China, Germany and France. Finnish embassies also play an active role in export promotion. Several significant events were held in Japan and South Korea during the summer, including a ceremony and signing event for a new agreement with Nippon Steel Trading.
Adapting to Ever-changing Markets with a New Strategy
In a turbulent global meat market, conditions vary by product category, as noted in strategic planning.
– For example, beef availability is low, pushing prices to an exceptionally high level. In poultry, our new facility strengthens supply reliability to meet increasing demand, also in Europe, Pellikka emphasizes.
Export operations are an essential part of the new group strategy. Each operating country, Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Estonia, has its own export unit, strengthened through shared resources, expertise and more refined product portfolios.
– We aim to increase cooperation between the countries, build a broader customer offering and leverage the group's scale more effectively, Pellikka underlines.
The new strategy also emphasizes a shift towards more value-added products. According to Pellikka, instead of exporting primarily raw materials, Atria will increasingly focus on cooked products, ready meals, retail packages and other solutions for the foodservice segment:
– These products are valued and well-suited to the growing needs of the fast-food and foodservice markets. For Atria's customers, this means a broader, more consistent selection, improved service, and the opportunity to jointly build long-term, winning concepts.
To reach new markets, Atria Finland´s export team continues thorough work with its partners.
– In each country, market structures, consumer behaviour and value base all guide decision-making. Thus, we are building new success stories through close cooperation with Business Finland, using global data and collaborating with embassies, Pellikka adds.
Entering 2026 with Confidence
Strong customer relationships and predictable seasonal variation provide a good start for the New Year. For example, the shipments for the Chinese New Year have already been dispatched, as sea freight takes around two months, and demand for the spring and summer seasons has been long prepared.
– The holidays provide a valuable pause before we move into 2026 with renewed energy. We wish our customers and partners a peaceful, joyful Christmas, enjoyed with meat from Atria, of course, Pellikka greets.
