Iceland’s only hamsatólg producer plans to stop after 32 years

Stóruvellir, the only company in Iceland producing hamsatólg, plans to end its operations after 32 years despite continued demand for the product, mbl.is reports.

Founder Garðar Jónsson said he had been considering stepping down for the past two or three years, but would like to see someone take over the business.

“I have received some inquiries about the operation, but cannot say whether anything will come of them. When agricultural product companies become this large, they do not seem interested in taking on an operation like this, where efforts are made to create value from everything,” Garðar told Morgunblaðið.

Stóruvellir, in Bárðardalur, also produces outdoor candles. It sells between 50,000 and 60,000 candles a year, as well as 16 tonnes of hamsatólg.

A part of Icelandic food traditions

“We have produced what the market has accepted over the years. Nothing is wasted, because all the animal fat that comes in is turned into a product that can be sold,” Garðar said.

Demand for hamsatólg increases later in the year, when people hold skate feasts. Outdoor candles are also popular during the darker months.

“We have not done much advertising, but naturally the biggest market is before Christmas. Laufabrauð, for example, is fried in tallow. I find it strange that large companies do not see a reason to maintain production that is important to our food traditions. We have been doing this for more than 30 years,” Garðar said.