Kalix Löjrom – The most exclusive roe in the Nordics

In the crystal-clear, mineral-rich waters of the Bothnian Bay – the northernmost part of the Baltic Sea – lives a small salmonid fish, known by few but behind one of the Nordics’ most sought-after delicacies: Kalix Löjrom. This golden roe comes exclusively from the fish vendace (Coregonus albula), which lives in the unique archipelago of Norrbotten, where the water’s low salinity and high mineral content create optimal conditions for both fish and roe.

A small fish with great value

The vendace rarely grows longer than 20 cm in the cold northern waters and feeds on plankton and small crustaceans. The roe of a female fish amounts to only 3–5 grams – and with roe sizes developing week by week from 0.8 to 1.3 mm, timing and handling are crucial. This means that every gram of Kalix Löjrom is the result of precise fishing and careful processing.

Traditional craftsmanship – generation after generation

The fishing takes place between September 20 and five weeks forward, where only certified fishermen with licenses are allowed to participate, and exclusively in approved areas. Both the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences continuously monitor the fishery to ensure sustainability and the future of the resource.

When the boats dock at dusk, a precise and ancient craft begins. The females are sorted out, and the roe is carefully removed – often by the hands of three generations of women in the same family. The cleaning is the critical phase: the roe must be washed without losing its shape or structure. Finally, 4% salt is added and the roe is frozen – no other additives are used.