Hagenah, the fish processing company of the EDEKA Minden-Hannover group, closed its latest financial year with growing results and confirmed the strategic role of its fish counters served in large-scale retail trade. In 2025-2026, the Hamburg plant processed 2.765 tons of fish, a 7% increase in volume compared to the previous year.
From its Hamburg production site, the company supplies approximately 260 fish counters in the EDEKA Minden-Hannover area, approximately 90 of which operate under the "Die Fischwerker" brand. This network guarantees consumers the availability of fresh, assisted fish even in areas where this type of service is increasingly rare in modern retail.
According to the group, the service counters are a distinctive feature for many EDEKA supermarkets today, which in several areas constitute the only sales outlet capable of offering a specialized assortment of fresh fish products with dedicated advice.
This business proposition is also supported by a significant investment in staff training. In many stores, customers can count on the advice of qualified Seafood Experts, professionals who have completed a specific specialization program recognized by the Münster Chamber of Crafts.
The training allows employees to acquire expertise across the entire fish and seafood supply chain, from the sourcing of raw materials to processing techniques, from preservation to sales at the counter. Experts are also able to assess product quality, explain their nutritional characteristics, and contribute to product assortment planning.
Admission to the program requires strict requirements. Candidates must have already obtained the Seafood Advisor certification, work as a specialized food sales assistant, and have at least two years of experience at a fish counter.
The training program consists of seven modules spread over 14 months and includes theoretical and practical activities conducted at various locations. Last year, participants also participated in a week of training in Denmark, visiting production facilities and participating in a deep-sea fishing trip to the so-called "Yellow Reef." The final exam is taken at the Münster Chamber of Crafts.
Over the last financial year, EDEKA trained 14 new Seafood Experts and 10 Seafood Advisors, while approximately 240 employees attended basic and advanced courses dedicated to the fishmonger's department.
The growth in processed volumes and the ongoing investment in expertise confirm how the traditional fish counter continues to represent an important asset for EDEKA Minden-Hannover, focusing on quality service, specialized consultancy, and the promotion of fresh produce to differentiate itself in the food distribution landscape.
