Atlas Food A/S: A Hidden Gem in Global Trade
In the heart of Nørresundby, North Jutland, lies Atlas Food A/S, a trading company that has largely flown under the radar but is now making significant waves in the global food market. As the largest subsidiary within the Polar Seafood Denmark group, Atlas Food is stepping into the spotlight.
Described as a medium-sized international food merchant, Atlas Food has diversified its portfolio to include not just seafood but also meat—expanding its purchasing and sales reach from Europe to Africa and the Far East, and thereby unlocking new opportunities.
A Booming Business
The company’s revenue speaks volumes: last year alone, Atlas Food reported a turnover approaching DKK 800 million (approximately $120 million). According to Henrik Leth, chairman of the board at Atlas Food and managing director of Polar Seafood Denmark, the trading house has indeed blossomed into a formidable international player.
“Atlas Food has become an integral part of our operation, contributing positively to the overall turnover of Polar Seafood Denmark,” Leth states. In the broader context, Polar Seafood Denmark witnessed an increase in turnover from DKK 4.2 billion in 2024 to DKK 4.7 billion in 2025.
The group’s profit after tax in the previous year was a solid DKK 172 million, a figure that underscores the successful diversification of its activities beyond seafood.
Strategic Expansion
Leth acknowledges a shift in business strategy, revealing that the growth of Atlas Food was a direct response to challenges in Greenland. “As Polar Seafood Greenland began losing fishing quotas, we recognized the need for a more robust revenue stream,” he explains. “Atlas Food has proven to be a successful strategic investment.”
The Visionaries Behind Atlas Food
The inception of Atlas Food can be credited to its current director Jesper Hyldig Nielsen, along with partners Anders Grønnebæk and Thomas Rask. Their venture began in 2020, supported by former Polar Seafood Denmark owners Helge Nielsen and Bent Norman Petersen.
“Initially, we presented our idea to the former management of Polar Seafood Denmark, and they were supportive of our vision,” Nielsen recalls. Since its establishment, the company has grown from just three founders to a team of 23 staff members.
“Our performance has surged, particularly after opening a new office in Copenhagen,” says Nielsen. In 2025, Atlas Food’s operating profit reached DKK 21 million, a substantial increase from DKK 13 million the previous year. With this momentum, Nielsen aims to continue driving growth.
A Focused Global Reach
Atlas Food sources its pork and beef predominantly from Europe, the USA, Canada, Brazil, and Argentina. “While we buy a significant amount of meat in Europe, we also tap into South American supplies. Our primary markets for sales are in the Far East and Africa,” Nielsen shares.
The company enjoys strong relationships in key markets including the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, South Korea, and both West and East Africa, especially Ghana and Senegal. However, Nielsen is clear about boundaries in their expansion. “We consciously avoid the Chinese and Middle Eastern markets,” he states.
A New Era for Polar Seafood Denmark
In a move signaling a new chapter for Polar Seafood Denmark, its Greenlandic counterpart has reached a conditional agreement to purchase Brim hf’s 50 percent stake in the Danish company for DKK 925 million. This acquisition will consolidate ownership within Greenland’s hands, further shaping the future of this vital seafood powerhouse.
As Atlas Food continues to carve out its identity in the global food trading landscape, its story is one of innovation, adaptation, and vision—an inspiring narrative for the ever-evolving world of international commerce.